Operations are being scaled back on the Carter Canyon Fire in the Wildcat Hills southwest of Gering with the majority transitioning to local departments on Friday.
Aerial observations confirm the fire is 85% contained and the fire’s footprint unchanged at 15,630 acres since Monday morning.
Fire Information Officer Ben Bohall of the Nebraska Forest Service says a staggered demobilization of crews that have come in from outside the area has already begun with the Gering Fire Department and its local VFD partners in the area taking over Friday, “barring any unforeseen developments.”
Bohall says firefighters made considerable progress on mop-up and expanding fire lines Tuesday afternoon and evening. Multi-mission aircraft continued surveying the canyons this afternoon, looking for heat signatures, smoke, and possible flare ups.
Two additional fires near the Carter Canyon Fire were started by lightning, but local fire departments, aided by 2 National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and other resources from the main fire, limited both new fires to 3-5 acres..
Bohall says the Gering Fire Department, the incident management assistance team, and the State of Nebraska would like to thank the Gering community and local businesses for their overwhelming support and donations
3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith, a resident of Gering, visited incident command on Wednesday and thanked firefighters and first responders for their efforts.