OGALLALA -- At 6:06 a.m. July 25, the Ogallala Fire Department responded to a county-wide page of a working structure fire in the Ogallala city limits.
 
The structure fire was a detached multi-bay garage. On arrival, firefighters found the fire had self-vented through an exterior wall and roof. Firefighters extinguished the main fire and overhauled the structure. 
 
Cause of the fire is believed to be accidental but remains under investigation. 
 
No injuries were reported.
 
At 2:41 p.m., firefighters responded to a county-wide tone of a grass fire in the Ogallala District. Departments responding include Ogallala, Brule, Big Springs, Grant, Paxton FD, Keystone Lemoyne Fire Department and Keith County EMS.
 
Private citizens with ATVs and a water truck also assisted.
 
On arrival, firefighters encountered a wind-driven grass fire pushing hard into the river bottom. Crews stopped forward advance of fire. Though the fire was kept small in acres, mop up was extremely complex with multiple hazards such as hazard trees, difficult access, weather, and varying fuel types.
 
Road crews were able to cut line around the area as well as mitigate a problematic area on the south side of the incident. Firefighters spent about six hours from time of page to back in service. No injuries reported. The fire deemed accidental in nature from agricultural process.
 
At 5:45 p.m., the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department was paged for a two-vehicle accident in the county. Command, Rescue, and Engine responded. MAC 60 and MAC 1 were reassigned from the grass fire rehab to the accident. MAC 2 staged off scene. On arrival, there were only minor injuries; no transport. 
 
"As a Chief, I could not be more proud of our volunteers. They step up like this when needed and ask for nothing in return. Call types like these can tax a volunteer-based system quickly but the Mutual Aid agreements and seamless processes continually improved upon along with the continued support of our great citizens all contribute to a safer community and more efficient incident resolution," said Ogallala Fire Chief Dell Simmerman.
 
He said the teamwork from the Dispatch Center to law enforcement and private citizens is inspiring.