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(Chadron, NE.) Residents who were evacuated because of the fires burning south and southwest of Chadron, Neb., will be allowed to return home Monday evening, according to Dawes County Sheriff Karl Dailey and Dawes Complex Incident Commander Marc Mullenix.
“Our unified command felt it was essential to let residents back in their homes, because the fire danger has diminished significantly,” said Mullenix.
Residents affected by the Spotted Tail Fire were first allowed to return home at 8 p.m. MT, and residents affected by the Roberts Tract Fire will be allowed to return home at 9 p.m. MT.
“We’re very happy that we can allow residents to return home,” said Sheriff Dailey. “However, residents are encouraged to use caution, because there will still be substantial firefighting equipment using our county roads for several days.”
Through the use of strategic backfires, and with the help of light rains, crews made great progress in holding the southern boundaries of both fires today, which were the areas of greatest concern to fire managers. Fire activity was limited to creeping and smoldering after the cold front passed though this morning.
Weather conditions should continue to help the fire suppression efforts. Daytime temperatures are expected to be 20-25 degrees lower, and humidity is expected to be 30 percent higher. Temperatures are not predicted to reach back into triple digits over the next 10 days.
Approximately 600-650 firefighters are supporting the Dawes Complex suppression efforts, including the National Guard and local volunteer fire departments from across the region. The fires currently cover approximately 26,300 acres and containment is estimated at 60 percent. The cost to date is just under $1.2 million.
Spotted Tail Fire: 9,700 acres. Firefighters have secured the perimeter of the fire and will begin mop-up efforts Tuesday.
Deadhorse Fire: 215 acres. This fire is contained.
Roberts Tract Fire: The main fire activity remains in the southwest corner of this fire. Firefighters will continue to secure the fire perimeter and start mop-up on the cool portions of the fire.
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