15,000 acres burned in central Nebraska wildfire

(Halsey, NE) -- A wildfire in central Nebraska continues to burn with zero-percent containment.

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands posted on Facebook Monday afternoon that the Bovee Fire, located in the Nebraska National Forest about three miles south of Halsey, has burned more than 15,000 acres since it broke out on Sunday. They say federal, state, and local firefighters have been working to put the fire out since it was reported just after 1:30 Sunday afternoon. The Forest Service says the fire quickly spread up to 15 miles north, pushed through dry fuels by gusty south winds. Structure protection efforts by Forest Service and local firefighters successfully defended the historic Bessey Nursery and CCC Campground, but the lodge and camper cabins of the Nebraska 4H Camp were destroyed, along with the Scott Lookout Tower. The fire’s cause is under investigation, but it is believed to have been human-caused.

“We had a good night last night and made a lot of progress on the east and north,” said Incident Commander Brian Daunt. “Today’s focus is going to be holding those lines, and constructing line to the west of the fire.”

More than 100 firefighters are on scene, including two Type I Interagency Hotshot Crews, 10 engines, a dozer, and a fire suppression module. Air tankers were used on Sunday to drop retardant and slow the fire’s spread, and will be available again if needed. Colorado’s Multimission Aircraft is scheduled to fly the fire Monday afternoon to provide detailed infrared mapping of the fire perimeter. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team has been activated to take command of the Bovee Fire, and is mobilizing en route to the incident.

Nebraska Highway 2 has been reopened between Thedford and Halsey. To protect public and firefighter safety, the Nebraska National Forest has closed the entire Bessey Ranger District to the public during the Bovee Fire. Closure details will be posted on the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands website here.


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