Scattered fires rage 40 miles from campus

Aug. 30, Update: Blaze within 6 miles of campus, classes canceled through Friday

The smoke that filled the air and shrouded the Chadron skyline earlier today came from several fires burning in Dawes and Box Butte Counties that consumed more than 1,200 acres, officials state.

Cyd Janssen, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, said Wednesday afternoon via telephone that while citizens should be aware of the situation and should stay alert for warnings, there is no immediate danger and no evacuations have been issued as of Wednesday evening.

“It may look scary, and there is ash falling, but most of the smoke and ash is caused by upper air currents,” Janssen said. “As of right now there is no danger or need for evacuation,” Janssen said.

According to representatives from the Hemingford, Crawford, and Chadron fire departments, four fires in range from Hemingford to Crawford are still blazing.

As of Wednesday evening, Hemingford firefighters are still fighting the grass fire, caused by a lightning strike, located around northern Box Butte County as well as the timber fire found on the Box Butte and Dawes County lines, also started from a lightning strike.

According to Jannsen, the Douthit Fire, located north of Highway 20 between Crawford and Harrison, spans more than 800 acres. The West Ash fire, spanning between 400 and 500 acres, started Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters from Crawford, Chadron, and Harrison are assisting with the fires, as well as a Black Hats Type 2 crew from Rapid City, S.D.