FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2006, 2:00 a.m. CT

(Lincoln, NE) Six separate wildfires burning across portions of western Nebraska caused significant damage to homes, property, grasslands, and forests across the region Friday. Thus far, no significant injuries have been reported.

According to preliminary reports from local emergency managers via the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the following update is available:

• The fire that burned through parts of southern Chadron broke out east of Chadron and east of U.S. 385. It appears to have been caused by wind-borne embers from other fires burning nearby. Two surgical patients from the Chadron hospital were relocated to the hospital in Gordon. Two other patients were relocated to Crest View Care Center in Chadron. The remaining patients were discharged. However, the Chadron hospital emergency room remains operational. Fire departments continue to fight spot fires in and around Chadron.

• Another fire, burning in Chadron State Park south of Chadron, was originally contained Friday evening, but had to be abandoned to help fight the Chadron city fire. The U.S. Forest Service has taken over efforts to fight the state park fire, but few details about its current status were available as of early this morning.

• A third fire is threatening the Nebraska National Forest outside Whitney. Many of its firefighting resources were diverted to the Chadron city fire, and as of this morning, it had been contained only on its eastern side.

• The fourth and fifth fires burning east of Harrison forced the evacuation of at least nine families, but had damaged no structures at last report. Neither of the fires had been contained, although 26 fire departments continue to work.

• The sixth fire, located in Banner County, started early Friday afternoon, and at last report had burned approximately 1,100 acres. It was still burning in a canyon area as of this morning, but is considered to be fairly well contained.

Gov. Dave Heineman is scheduled to arrive in the Panhandle Saturday morning to get a first-hand look at the damage.