A KVFD grass rig fighting the grass fire along Highway 40 on March 10, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A grass fire that burned around an acre of ground north of Kearney was caused by a semi pulling down an electrical line during the afternoon of Tuesday, March 10.
Around 2:45 p.m., the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) was dispatched near the intersection of Highway 40 and 5th Ave., just west of the Glenwood roundabout, for the report of a grass fire that was spreading.
On scene, a grass fire was spreading on the south side of Highway 40 and was approaching several structures, one which appeared to be abandoned.
Firefighters worked in grass rigs to contain the spread of the fire and then focused on areas that were still burning in the blacked-out area.
KVFD Deputy Fire Chief Jason Whalen said that over 20 firefighters and nine apparatus responded to the fire. Around an acre of ground was burned, the fire approached several structures which resulted in only exterior damage.
Whalen said the cause of the fire was a semi hauling a tralier with hay that pulled down an electrical line on Highway 40.
The electrical line hit by the semi was lying alongside Highway 40 while firefighters were on scene, the line would later be replaced by the Dawson Public Power District.
