Charred pasture stretched for five miles in southwest Chase County and into northern parts of Dundy County. Some standing corn was also lost in the fire that eventually burned more than 2,800 acres Saturday. (Johnson Publications photo)
As Imperial’s 2,000 gallon tanker refills a Lamar Volunteer Fire Department truck, Lamar firefighter Brock Stromberger, left, and IVFD driver/pump operator John Schilke discuss the fire’s movement. (Johnson Publications photo)
From the northeast, the heavy, black smoke from Saturday afternoon’s fire could be seen for miles. (Johnson Publications photo)
The blackness of the charred grass stands out around this lone windmill Saturday afternoon. (Johnson Publications photo)
Dryness, wind aided fast spread of major grass fire Saturday
There were times officers with the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department (IVFD) wondered if they’d ever be able to stop the spread of a major grass fire Saturday afternoon.
But with the help of 14 other fire departments in Nebraska and Colorado, area farmers and others bringing water tanks to the scene, containment was achieved after about seven hours.
That was after 2,836 acres of grass, cornstalks and some standing corn were burned, and three out buildings lost in southwest Chase County and into Dundy County.
Most of the pasture, grass and unpicked corn burned was on ground of Bob Milner’s, said IVFD Chief Doug Mitchell.
Milner said this week 2,500 of the burned acres were his, and included 30 to 40 acres of standing corn.
The fire had a 12.5 mile perimeter and burned a swath five miles long, he said. It burned as far south to Dundy County’s Road 724, west to Avenue 315 with Road 729 to its north. Road 320 bordered it on the east.
“To me it was one of the biggest fires we’ve had in awhile,” Mitchell said.
“We haven’t lost structures for awhile.”
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