Fire north of Lake McConaughy contained after evacuations, highway closure
Fire departments responded to a grass fire north of Lake McConaughy. Evacuations were lifted around 2 p.m. and Highway 92 has reopened after crews brought the blaze under control.
By News Channel NebraskaPhoto Courtesy: Gail Nelson Bleidt & Joe Arterburn
OGALLALA, Neb. — At least five fire departments responded to a grass fire north of Lake McConaughy on Friday, bringing it under control after battling the blaze for several hours.
The fire prompted an immediate evacuation order for the Cedar View area earlier in the day. The evacuation notice was issued at 12:19 p.m. at the request of Keith County Emergency Management and 911.
Fire departments from Ogallala, Keystone-Lemoyne, Brule, Paxton and Blue Creek responded. Blue Creek is a settlement just north of the lake along Highway 92 and includes the subdivisions of Peterson 1, Peterson 2 and Otter Creek Meadows, as well as JC Cedarview, a campground, convenience store and bait shop complex on the south side of the highway owned by Johnny and Christina Carson.
Christina Carson said the fire started after 10 a.m. She reported it after noticing a towering column of smoke northwest of her business.
Highway 92 was closed just west of JC Cedarview as crews worked to contain the fire. Residents north of the highway were evacuated and gathered in their vehicles in the JC Cedarview parking lot while firefighters worked the scene.
With the fire under control and crews focused on preventing reignition, residents were allowed to return to their homes at about 2 p.m.
Earlier reports indicated authorities were evacuating Cedar View, Lakeshore and Albees. One witness told News Channel Nebraska the fire started on Otter Creek Ranch.
The fire occurred as a Red Flag Warning remained in effect until 6 p.m. CST (5 p.m. MST) Friday for portions of western and north central Nebraska. The National Weather Service reported northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, relative humidity as low as 16% and temperatures near 65 degrees, creating conditions favorable for rapid fire spread.
No injuries or structural losses were immediately reported. Firefighters remained on scene Friday afternoon monitoring hot spots.
- Joe Arterburn contributed to this report.