Imperial, Wauneta departments called to major grass fire in Dundy County
A fire that burns 5,000 to 6,000 acres needs the help of several departments.
That was the case last week when the Imperial and Wauneta Volunteer Fire Departments responded with three other departments to a major grass/pasture fire in Dundy County.
Benkelman Fire Chief Gene Zimbelman said the July 7 fire was in Haigler’s district, starting on the old Hines Ranch. It burned northeast to the Harold Brunswig farm, he said.
The fire’s spread stayed north of Highway 34, but was enhanced by high winds that day that peaked at 50 mph.
Severe dry conditions in the area also challenged the firefighters, Zimbelman said.
“When we left town all we saw to the west was black smoke rolling,” he said.
Firefighters were initially called about 3:30 p.m. and were on scene until 10 p.m., Zimbelman said.
Flare-ups called the firefighters back at midnight. They returned home at 3 a.m.
In all, Zimbelman said the fire burned an area 5 miles by 2.5 miles.
Cause is unknown at this time, Zimbelman said, but it burned a lot of ground and fences in its path. A State Fire Marshal was on scene, he said.
The Benkelman department lost a quick attack unit in the fire, purchased a year ago from the Imperial district. It’s likely totalled, he said.
Imperial Fire Chief Doug Mitchell said the IVFD left the barn with five trucks and 12 firefighters, but once on scene, sent some of the units back.
“One truck had power steering problems so it was sent back. The command car and grass rig stayed on scene until it was under control,” he said.
The other two units were sent back to Imperial because of the high fire danger here, too, he said.
Other departments called in on mutual aid were Cheyenne County, Kansas; Yuma County, Colorado; and Wauneta, Colorado.
Benkelman Chief Zimbelman said they had huge support from the area, including businesses and farmers that sent water tankers, as well as area producers who also had discs on scene.