A blaze consumed approximately 6,000 acres in Morrill County, requiring the efforts of 91 firefighters from 16 Fire Departments to contain the fire.
According to information released by the Bayard Fire Department on social media, on Aug. 17, at 2:51 p.m. fire departments from Bayard, Bridgeport and Broadwater were dispatched to a fire reparted near CR 118 and CR 105, six miles east of Angora. When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered a “fire burning across open pasture ground and being driven to the North-Northwest by winds estimated at 15 mph.”
Landowners advised firefighters of a home being threatened by the fire.
“Fire crews began a direct attack on the flame fronts and made good initial progress, but were soon hampered by mechanical issues and soft, sandy terrain that caused multiple units to become stuck throughout the course of the incident,” stated the release from the Bayard Fire Department.
Because of the growing size of the fire, which began to be referred to as the 118 Fire, other fire departments were called for mutual aid. The fire split into two fingers, causing the responding crews to be directed to CR 126 and Highway 385. Due to the heavy smoke and limited visibility, traffic on Highway 385 was closed at 5:32, and BNSF trains were stopped at 5:14 p.m. as the fire approached the tracks.
Crews received aerial support from the SEAT plane, located in Chadron, and a private applicator. At 6:22 p.m., traffic was allowed to resume on Highway 385 as crews gained improved control of the fire and smoke levels were decreased.
At 8 p.m., the fire was contained and some of the departments requested for mutual aid were released. At 10:17 p.m., all other units cleared the scene as the fire was controlled.
“The 118 Fire was a rapidly expanding fire that was only brought under control by cooperative efforts from multiple agencies including Region 21 EM, Morrill County Sheriff’s Office, NSP, Morrill County Commissioners, Nebraska Forest Service SEAT team, Flying Rhino Ag, Paul Reed Construction, BNSF, MCCH ALS, NE State Fire Marshall WIRAT, Hall ranch, CRPPD, numerous private individuals and landowners, and 16 Fire Departments including Bayard, Bridgeport, Broadwater, Alliance, Banner County, Dalton, Garden County, Gering, Hemingford, Lodgepole, Minatare, Mitchell, Morrill, Potter, Scottsbluff Rural, and Sidney,” the release stated.
No injuries were reported, and there was no damage to structures or animals.