IVFD sends support to large Banner Co. fire

    Over the weekend, the Smoky Fire in Banner County was about 70% contained, but at that point it had burned more than 4,300 acres.
    Early this week, fire officials announced the fire was 100% contained after weekend rain covered the entire fire area and aided the firefighting.
    Two Imperial firefighters were in Banner County as part of the SW Mutual Aid District Strike Team. Greg Dannatt and Dustin Harris took an IVFD quick attack unit to aid the firefighting, said Imperial Fire Chief Doug Mitchell.
    Dannatt said they left mid afternoon Sept. 14 and returned Friday morning. While on scene, they provided structure protection and fire patrol, working on 12-hour shifts.
    Other departments responding as part of the SW Mutual Aid Strike Team were Ogallala, Hayes Center and Wallace, each sending two firefighters and a truck.
    According to reports, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. More than 30 departments and agencies aided the local fire departments.
Lamar fire call
    The Lamar Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported fire on Sunday at 7 p.m.
    Fire Chief Tyler Stanley said when they arrived on scene near the 743/316 intersection, they found cornstalks were being burned by an individual.
    Stanley said there had been no burn permit issued to the individual, who was burning the cornstalks that had gathered on a dryland field he was planning to drill with wheat.
    Stanley emphasized the area is in a drought and Nebraska has a statewide open burning ban in place.
    “It’s dangerously dry out there and there should be no burning,” he said.
    The Imperial Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the call, but were turned around at the sand draw when Lamar reported they had the situation handled, Chief Mitchell said.