Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala told KBRB that excellent progress was made over the weekend in completing work on the Plum Creek Fire. Fiala said the burned acreage total did not increase over the weekend, and the volunteer fire department presence at the site would be greatly reduced going forward.
Fiala said the fire has consumed 7,025 acres but he said the fire was mainly under control and is now considered 70 percent contained.
National Guard helicopters were still dropping on hot spots on Friday afternoon. At one time there were over 60 firefighting units from across the region helping with the fire. There were also soldiers from the National Guard and numerous volunteers from neighboring communities with firefighting rigs.
Governor Pillen has issued an emergency declaration and statewide burn ban through the end of April.