By LuAnn Schindler
Publisher
14 departments respond to Sunday fire
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March 24, 2022
Angie Robertson | SAM
Up in smoke • Trees and brush burns, Sunday, near the Holt and Knox county line. Fourteen volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze, which stretched from west of Verdigre to northwest of Page. Nebraska Forestry Service employees, based in Valentine, monitored the area Monday.
The 911 call came in shortly after 3 p.m., Sunday, March 20: a wildfire sweeping across ranchland between Page and Verdigre, along the Holt and Knox County line, near 509 Avenue and 875 Road.
While the fire began in the Verdigre fire district, it jumped into the Page district at some points.
Page Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene at 3:24 p.m., according to chief Rod Isom.
Initially, the fire moved northwest and moved quickly. Weather conditions created a perfect storm for the blaze to build, as temperatures reached the mid-70s and strong southerly winds averaged 25 miles per hour. According to National Weather Service data, recorded at Baker Field in O'Neill, gusts higher than 30 miles per hour were recorded Sunday afternoon.
According to Isom, approximately 5,000 acres were burned the area which spanned approximately three miles, east to west, by six miles, north to south.
Several campers and cabins were destroyed in the fire, but no homes were lost. Several center-pivot irrigation systems were burned.
North Central Public Power District was requested to assist with damaged power poles and downed power lines. As of Monday, the total number of structures lost in the fire was unavailable.
Multiple mutual aid calls were requested and firefighters from 14 departments battled the blaze. Atkinson, Brunswick Creighton, Ewing, Lynch, Neligh, Niobrara, O'Neill, Orchard, Page, Plainview, Royal, Stuart and Verdigre responded.
Terrain, including minimal roadways through the affected area, made it difficult for firefighters to reach the fire, according to Holt County law enforcement officers on scene.
As flames traveled across pastures, farmers used discs to break the ground, creating a stopping point. According to Isom, some landowners turned on irrigation systems, hoping to halt the fire.
Wilcox Flying Service, of Tilden, assisted with containment by dropping water and several area businesses hauled water to the scene.
The fire was contained sometime between 7 and 8 p.m. Page's fire department returned to the firehouse around 9:30 p.m. Some firefighters stayed on scene until Monday morning, to contain any hot spots.
A National Forestry Service crew, from Valentine, managed the area and provided cleanup, Monday. The state fire marshal's office was expected on site to review damages.
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