By Custer County Emergency Management
CUSTER COUNTY, Neb. — At approximately 2:07 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, a 9‑1‑1 call reported a grass fire at Pressey Park, located within the Oconto Volunteer Fire Department fire district. The Oconto Volunteer Fire Department was first on scene and, due to fire conditions, quickly requested mutual aid from all fire departments across Custer County.
As the incident expanded, assistance was provided by multiple fire departments from across Nebraska, along with the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Custer County Emergency Management, Custer County Communications, Custer County Highway Department, Arrow Aviation, Custer Public Power District, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks, Nebraska Brand Committee, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office (WIRAT and Investigations), and the Nebraska IMAT Team.
Dry conditions and strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly to the north and northwest. Rough terrain made access and suppression efforts challenging, and the fire ultimately split into two separate head fires, with the secondary head fire moving farther north. At its peak, the fire traveled approximately 12 miles north and reached an estimated width of 3 miles, burning roughly 6,000 acres.
At this time, the fire is being actively monitored. Suppression operations are scheduled to resume at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. Multiple teams of firefighters will continue working throughout the day in coordination with National Guard air assets and hand crews.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Oconto Volunteer Fire Department would like to extend sincere thanks to all fire departments, agencies, businesses, and individuals who have assisted and continue to assist with firefighting operations, as well as those who have supported firefighters and landowners during this incident.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.