GRANT COUNTY, Neb. (KSNB) – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that two evacuation directives have been rescinded following two wildfires that consumed almost 50,000 acres across the county during the night.
According to the sheriff’s office, residents of Hyannis and Ashby villages are now permitted to return as their evacuation orders have been withdrawn.
Reports from the Morrill Fire Facebook page indicate that the Ashby Fire ignited close to Ashby and rapidly moved southward. This blaze has encroached upon territory previously affected by the Morrill Fire, located northeast of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and has scorched an area totaling 34,641 acres.
To the south of Hyannis, the Minor Fire has consumed 15,000 acres and is currently progressing southbound in the direction of Arthur County and the Morrill Fire.
Early Thursday at 1 a.m. MDT, initial-attack resources were deployed to combat the fires. These teams are supporting local volunteer fire departments and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team.
Governor Jim Pillen announced via social media that he has authorized the deployment of state resources to aid local firefighting efforts.
Upon Governor Pillen’s request, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 has dispatched a multitude of engines and additional resources to help contain the wildfires.
The Ashby Fire is being tackled by four Black Hawk helicopters from the Nebraska and Iowa National Guard, while three single-engine air tankers are engaged in fighting the Minor Fire.
Assistance Information
Classes at Hyannis High School were canceled by Hyannis Area Schools on Thursday. The school remains operational as a sanctuary for individuals requiring shelter.
The Hyannis Congregational Church is also welcoming those who have been evacuated.
Highways 2 and 61, which were previously shut due to the wildfires, have now been reopened to traffic.
Further updates on this situation will be provided as they become available.
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