Two wildfires burning in the region have consumed a cumulative 8,234 acres, leading Governor Pete Ricketts to issue an emergency declaration on Sept. 17.
As of Monday evening, the Post Fire south of Crawford is 65 percent contained after consuming 5,444 acres in its wake.
According to information shared by the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department, the fire has transitioned from the Nebraska Emergency Management Type 3 Incident Management Assistance Team to a local Type 4 Team, led by Incident Commander Tyler Hunter and Brian Prosser, Crawford Volunteer Fire Department Chief.
A reported rainstorm left approximately 0.3 inches of rain on the burn area. More than 160 personnel were on scene, including firefighters from the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department. All evacuation notices have been lifted for the area.
The Vista Trend Fire, located southwest of Scottsbluff, was declared 100 percent contained, according to information shared by the Gering Fire Department. Firefighters from the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department also assisted with the Vista Trend Fire.
“The emergency declaration issued by Governor Ricketts allows incident commanders the flexibility to order resources necessary for the response, including resources from surrounding states. Nebraska National Guard air assets also responded. Over the course of several days, numerous sorties were flown to aid in suppression,” a press release from NEMA stated.