UPDATE: As of 9 am this morning, KNEB News can confirm that there is still active, heavy fire activity at the Cedar Canyon fire. Thousands of acres have burned, including the majority of the Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area.
We have received word that at least one home has been destroyed. There are dozens of departments working on fighting the fire, including many from the Region 22 and Region 21 Emergency Management areas
At this time, there is no access to the area, and mandatory evacuations remain in place.
We will have more information after an uapdate soon from fire officials.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
A dry thunderstorm that moved through the area early Saturday evening appears to have sparked a couple of fires in dry fuels south of Gering.
As of 8:30 p.m., at least two large fires were burning out of control. The largest of the fires was in rugged terrain and heavy timber on the ridgeline south of Carter Canyon Wildlife Management Area (about 5 miles south and 10 miles west of Gering). An additional plume of smoke was visible to the west of the fire as well.
Officials said that anyone that doesn’t live in the Carter Canyon area needs to stay east of Highway 71. Law enforcement is patrolling and will be issuing tickets for obstructing fire vehicles.
At approximately 9:45 p.m. evacuation orders were issued for residents living between Summit Ranch Road and Carter Canyon Road.
Fire departments from at several communities and locations are on the scene. KNEB News did observe at least one aircraft making a drop on the blaze.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
