      The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department was kept busy for a time Saturday afternoon as members battled 2 fires at the same time about 15 miles apart.
      Chief Brandon Martens says the first fire call to come in was about 15 miles west of Chadron near Whitney on Eleson Road. Chief Martens says a tire and wheel bearing were found nearby, just off Hwy 20Â
     Martens says the damage was limited to 24 bales of hay, thanks in part to a landowner bringing over a couple tractors.
While crews were working on the Eleson Road fire, a call came in for a combine fire south of Chadron, sending firefighters there as well. Chief Martens says the combine suffered only minor damage.
      The Crawford VFD sent two trucks to help with the fires and a U-S Forest Service engine also responded to the Eleson Road fire.
Chief Martens says he really appreciates the work of the Dawes County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol in handling traffic control in the area of the fires.