According to KBRB Radio, Progress was made Wednesday on the Plum Creek Fire as relative humidity increased and additional state resources were brought to bear.There were reportedly over
60 different entities help fight the fire.
Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala ” reported the official total burned area is 6,631 acres after a plane mapped the area Wednesday. He said the initial estimate of 20,000 acres was taken using a mileage estimate on the edges of the fire’s perimeter.
The fire chief estimated the fire to be 40 percent contained, with the hope of increasing containment prior to the weekend.” To be considered contained, Fiala said there needs to be no active embers within 200 yards of the burned perimeter.
He said the SEAT plane would not be used today unless the fire flares up, but the National Guard Blackhawk helicopters would continue to make drops on hotspots.
He said state resources would likely start leaving the area on Friday. He said he hoped to keep the helicopters and the hand crew working into Saturday.
Fiala urged the public to remain off Norden Avenue as that continues to be the main route for the firefighting effort. He said the Brown County Roads Department planned to maintain Norden Avenue today as the road is in rough shape.
He thanked the public for the outpouring of support shown to those fighting the Plum Creek fire.
Governor Jim Pillen on Wednesday authorized the Nebraska National Guard to mobilize 29 soldiers and airmen to assist local volunteer fire departments currently battling the Plum Creek Fire near Johnstown.
Nebraska Army National Guard aerial resources have also been authorized to support the firefighting mission.
Forty-five cattle have died, and a cabin has been destroyed. Other structures have been threatened and were boxed in with heavy equipment to provide protection. The cause of the fire has been attributed to a permitted burn that got out of control.
Pillen issued a statewide burn ban Wednesday, emphasizing the persistent dry conditions that have continued to plague the state.