Banner County fire largely under control after igniting Tuesday afternoon
BANNER COUNTY - Firefighters in the Nebraska Panhandle responded to a wildfire burning grass and timber in hilly terrain shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in northeast Banner County.
The Banner County Volunteer Fire Department requested mutual aid from surrounding areas, including Bayard, McGrew and Scotts Bluff Rural, to help battle the blaze around the area of Wright's Gap Road, southwest of McGrew. 15 different fire departments and 50-60 personnel assisted in operation, according to Region 22 Emergency Manager Tim Newman. Five planes have assisted in the battle with the blaze.
Wright’s Gap Road was closed at 6:30 p.m. and remained closed Wednesday morning. Residents of four houses by Wright’s Gap Road were issued an advisory notice to evacuate, but the notice was not mandatory.
Newman says an estimated 2,000 acres has burned and there is no containment as of Tuesday evening. No structures have burned and no injuries have been reported.
Winds were blowing out of the south, southwest as of Tuesday afternoon.
Banner County Fire Department set-up drop-off point for donations at Gering High School on Wednesday. Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to noon.
More fire crews arrived at the scene on Wednesday, with the fire largely under control by late morning. Officials, however, remained concerned with residential areas nearby.
Approximately 2,000 acres had burned by Wednesday morning.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. Stay with News Channel Nebraska for the latest.