Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statewide burn ban on Wednesday, two days after a prescribed burn went out of control, resulting in a large wildfire in Northern Nebraska.
Pillen and other officials said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference that the Plum Creek Fire near Ainsworth had burned approximately 6,600 acres with zero percent containment, according to aerial estimates. That is roughly one-quarter of previous estimates from on the ground.
The fire began on Monday after a local landowner, in collaboration with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, conducted a prescribed burn, despite the fact that an area just a few miles south was under a red flag warning, indicating a high fire danger.
“So just a perfect example, there should not have been a burn,” Pillen told reporters. “I am not a Monday morning quarterback; there should not have been a burn yesterday or two days ago. It is that simple.
He stated that the current conditions are too dry for burning anywhere in the state.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire about 30% by Tuesday night, but it spread and crews lost control by Wednesday morning.
According to a Facebook post on the Brown and Rock County Emergency Management page, the fire was difficult to contain Wednesday due to strong winds and warm temperatures.
Cerveny stated that no injuries were reported and no evacuations were ordered.
Fire officials are requesting that people stay away from the fire area while crews work to contain the flames.
More than 50 volunteer departments from across the state, as well as over two dozen National Guard members, are assisting in the fight against the fire. Airplanes and helicopters are also being used to drop water on the fire.
Officials hope the weather will give them a break. There is a 60% chance of rain overnight Wednesday and an 80% chance of rain on Thursday in Brown County, where the fire is burning.