Grass fire in progress, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
GOSPER CO. — Nine area fire departments responded to a grass fire in Gosper County during the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 17.
According to Arapahoe Fire and Rescue Department, around 1:40 p.m., the HEA Rural Fire District was dispatched to a rapidly spreading grass fire near Road 731 and Drive 431 in Gosper County.
“Fueled by extremely dry winter conditions and strong winds impacting the entire Midwest, the fire quickly moved across open ground. Through a coordinated regional response, crews worked throughout the afternoon and evening to bring the fire under control. An estimated 316 acres were burned,” per Arapahoe Fire.
Agencies that responded to the fire included, Arapahoe, Bertrand, Cambridge, Beaver City, Wilsonville-Hendley, Edison, Elwood, Oxford, Holbrook, Gosper County Sheriff’s Office, Furnas County Sheriff’s Office, Arapahoe, Elwood, Bertrand EMS and Nebraska Fire Marshal Investigation Team.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“We are extremely grateful for the teamwork, professionalism, and community support shown yesterday. This is what mutual aid and rural Nebraska partnerships are all about,” per Arapahoe Fire, “With continued dry conditions and high winds, fire danger remains elevated. Please use extreme caution with any outdoor burning or activities that could spark a fire.”
