1:30 UPDATED: Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Orders in Grant County
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
A dangerous situation continues to develop today (Thursday) around Hyannis in Grant County as windy, dry conditions persist in the area. Officials have issued mandatory evacuations in parts of the county as a wildfire was reportedly growing quickly in an area south of Hyannis. Initial reports first came in shortly after 1am for a fire west of Highway 61 near mile marker 150. Officials were issuing evacuations in the Ashby area about an hour later. According to the Hyannis Schools’ Facebook page, a shelter has been designated at Hyannis Schools. While some road closures were reported early, it appears that the highways are now open again. Information coming into the KVSH Newsroom indicates that this fire between Hyannis and Bingham remains mostly south of Highway 2. Multiple fire departments have been called for mutual aid. Valentine Fire Chief Terry Engels stated that while the Valentine Volunteer Fire Department is aware of the situation, they have not yet been requested to respond.
Governor Jim Pillen on social media stated “I have ordered state assets to the Ashby and Hyannis areas in Grant County to support local firefighters dealing with a new wildfire that started overnight. Folks should follow evacuation orders issued by local authorities…Fellow Nebraskans, please pray for the people of these communities.”
WatchDuty.org indicates that over 82,600 acres have burned in the pair of fires in the area. These include the Ashby Fire near Highway 2, just south of Ashby, which is estimated at 58,935 acres. The other fire, south of Hyannis, is estimated to have burned 23,668 acres.
At this time, it is believed that dry lightning is the likely cause of this latest fire.
Unofficial reports to the KVSH Newsroom also indicate that at least one home in Ashby was lost this morning.
It has been reported that significant resources are being provided at Pillen's request, including the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1. KVSH Radio has also learned that three air tankers will be battling the Minor Fire, while four Nebraska and Iowa National Guard Black Hawk helicopters have been deployed to help fight the Ashby Fire.
