High winds fuel fires in southwest Nebraska
CAMBRIDGE, Neb.-- The high winds around Nebraska have fueled fires in southwest Nebraska
The Nebraska State Patrol captured this image west of Cambridge on Highway 6 Friday evening.
Wilsonville Fire and Rescue said that Wilsonville and Cambridge had been put on non-mandatory evacuation Friday night. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., Cambridge residents were recommended by the Furnas County Sheriff’s Office to evacuate. Cambridge has a population of 1,143.
By 8:00 p.m., the villages of Bartley and Indianola were also recommended to be evacuated.
Large clouds of smoke could be seen from the scene around the area due to the high winds.
By Saturday morning, the Nebraska Department of Transportation noted that fire conditions had improved, but fire and dust remained significant concerns for the remainder of the weekend.
Road closures included Nebraska Highways 89 and 47, and U.S. Highway 6.
The Road 702 Wildfire started in the northwest corner of Norton County, Kansas. It traveled north, northeast and then shifted west. Winds continued to push the fire north, too, leading to evacuations in Cambridge and Bartley, with strong warnings for Wilsonville, and people living around or camping at Cambridge Lake (Harry Strunk Lake, near Cambridge).
According to KNOP-TV in North Platte, there are several places open for people to stay as they leave their homes. If you need assistance call the Red Willow Sheriff’s non-emergency line at (308) 345-3450 or 911 for an emergency.
* Arapahoe Public School will be open for a shelter. Use the door on the NW corner. They say they need air mattresses at the Arapahoe School (door 7 at the northwest corner).
* McCook Christian Church.
* Blessings Childcare in McCook is open and has cribs and supplies for children. The owner offered diapers or formula for those in need.
* Knights of Columbus in McCook is open. They have refreshments for those who need a place to shelter safely.
* Hunt Nebraska lodge in Arapahoe took folks, but other than a couple of couches, by midnight, on their Facebook page they say they are full.
* Ella Missing Center.
*The hospital in Cambridge is not accepting new patients at this time. “Tri-Valley Health System is currently on diversion until further notice. All patients, residents, and staff are safe. For any emergency needs call 911.”
* Holbrook Community building.
* McCook E-Free Church.
This wildfire is pulling resources from across the state. Following is at least a partial list of the fire departments working together.
Alma, Elba, Gothenburg, Axtell, Wilcox, Minden, Franklin, Eustis, Beaver City, Wilsonville, Cambridge, Lexington, Curtis, Alda, Chapman, Platte Valley/ Twin Loup mutual aid response team, Wood River Fire and Rescue, Cairo, Farewell, St. Paul, Dannebrog, Phillips, Grand Island Rural, Orleans and Stamford Fire Departments in Harlan CountyThe Buffalo County Wildfire Task Force, Amherst, Elm Creek, Gibbon, Kearney, Pleasanton, Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team (WIRAT).
