6,000-acre fire near Broken Bow draws help from Nebraska departments
By Aaron Bonderson 
, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
Feb. 26, 2025, 4:40 p.m. ·
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A 6,000-acre fire in central Nebraska is sparking emergency responses from across the state.
The Beatrice Rural Fire Department sent two volunteers to grapple with the Lilian and East Table Road fires northwest of Broken Bow. Beatrice Rural Fire Chief Matt Langley said large fires like this highlight the importance of volunteers.
“It just shows a good human nature of what we are here in Nebraska,” Langley said, “and the fire industry as a whole being willing to help each other out, wherever that call may come from.”
As of Wednesday, officials say the two Custer County fires were under control but still active in certain canyons, according to a report from the Rural Radio Network.
The Nebraska Forest Service has trained his department for dealing with the Sandhills, Langley said.
“We look at different terrains, such as where they're heading to in Custer County,” Langley said. “The terrain is going to be different from what we have here in southeast Nebraska.”
No civilian injuries or evacuations have been reported but two firefighters were injured. One was released and the other is in stable condition.