Ground, air firefighters respond to Banner County fire
Banner County fire containment took the manpower of several agencies and an air attack. Firefighters left the scene and turned the area back over to the landowner at about 5 p.m. today.
August 13, 2025Updated: August 13, 2025
By News Channel Nebraska
By News Channel NebraskaPANHANDLE -- Firefighters were called to Banner County Tuesday in response to a grass fire.
The Coulter Fire 2, in Banner County, started Tuesday. Banner County firefighters were on the scene through the night.
At the 8 a.m. Wednesday update, Incident Commander Tim Grubbs reported the 45-acre fire 60 percent contained. The fire was held overnight within established containment lines, with no additional increase in size.
Firefighters spent Wednesday reinforcing containment lines, patrolling the fire perimeter, handline construction across the bottom of the canyon in the most inaccessible terrain.
Fighting the fire was complicated by inaccessible terrain, according to Rob Crowder with Region 22 Emergency Management.
Responding agencies include:
Banner County Fire
Banner County Sheriff’s Office
Lyman Fire
Scottsbluff Rural Fire
Gering
Bridgeport
Minatare/Melbeta Fire
Region 22 Emergency Management
Sidney Fire
Potter Fire
McGrew Fire
Bayard Fire
SEAT plane stationed in Chadron made three drops on this fire.