Nov 18, 2021 - Update on Buffalo Creek Fire in NE

Update on Buffalo Creek Fire 

                     Wildfire Burns at Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Center

Banner and Scotts Bluff Counties Submit Disaster Declarations

 Nov. 15, 2021 (LINCOLN, NEB.)  —  Nebraska Emergency Management Agency is working with other state agencies and local partners to assist on the Buffalo Creek Wildfire in Banner and Scotts Bluff Counties. The estimated 2,538-acre fire started Sunday at about 11:30 a.m. The fire is eight miles south of Gering on state land in the Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Unified Command has been established with Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers and Banner County Fire Chief Tim Grubbs, who are coordinating with Nebraska Game and Parks and the Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team (WIRAT) which includes representatives of the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office and Nebraska Forestry Service.

 NEMA Preparedness and Operations Manager Earl Imler arrived at the scene today to coordinate with unified command to get additional state assets to the scene.

This morning, at about 9:30 a.m., two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and nine Army National Guard soldiers departed from Lincoln to provide support in the form of water drops. Two single engine air tankers from Colorado flew retardant drop missions on Sunday and are returning to continue work today.

“Rugged, inaccessible terrain and wind-driven runs has hampered firefighting efforts,” Flowers said. “Potential Red Flag warnings might continue to hamper suppression efforts.” A Red Flag Warning is the official designation for increased fire weather danger, often comprised of warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

The spot forecast for the area includes winds out of the northwest at 30 miles per hour. There are 24 fire engines with personnel on scene to fight the fire

The fire has approached Wright’s Gap Road where firefighters are providing structure protection. Firefighters have created mechanical lines for containment and prepping areas where firefighters can successfully burn areas out. Area closures are in effect. Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area and Wright’s Gap Road are currently closed.

Donations of water, Gatorade, Gatorade zero, eye drops, ibuprofen, granola bars, individual chips, Chapstick would be appropriate for those interested is providing support. Firefighter Ministries is coordinating those efforts. Firefighter Ministry. Donations will be accepted today from 2 to 4 p.m. MST. Mailing address for the Firefighter Ministry is P.O. Box 531 Scottsbluff, NE 69363.

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 Jodie Fawl, MPIO

Public Information Officer  |  PREPAREDNESS AND OPERATIONS

 Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

2433 N.W. 24^th St., Lincoln, NE 68524

OFFICE          402-471-7428

CELL             402-326-3179

jodie.fawl@nebraska.gov

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