Estimated 2500 Acre Wildfire Still Burning in Banner County in Nebraska Panhandle

By Aaron Bonderson , Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media

Aug. 6, 2021, 3:16 p.m. ·

Distant dark orange flames line the horizon under a cloud of oranish blue smoke rising toward the night sky. Camera flash details brush in the foreground giving an idea what is burning in the distance. — A wildfire in Banner County, located on Wyoming border, has burned an estimated 2500 acres of land. Brush in the foreground gives an idea of the landscape. NEMA warns that hot and dry conditions will continue for the area. (Photo courtesy of Potter Volunteer Fire Department)

A large grass and timber wildfire in western Nebraska that started late yesterday is still burning. The fire in Banner County southeast of the town Harrisburg has burned an estimated 2500 acres.

It is not known yet how the fire started.

Alyssa Sander with Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said all local residents are safe and no structures or homes are threatened.

“As far as we know, we don’t know of any homes in the area,” she said. “It’s kind of out in the deep canyons out there. An evacuation order has not been issued that we’re aware of.”

Surrounding local fire departments are assisting Banner County to help douse the flames. An air tanker from Colorado and two single engine air tankers from South Dakota are helping, along with two helicopters from the Nebraska Army National Guard equipped with 780-gallon water tanks.

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Estimated 2500 Acre Wildfire Still Burning in Banner County in Nebraska Panhandle

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