Four Corners Fire near Halsey Nebraska

Fire Information Four Corners Fire - Nebraska National Forest near Halsey
by Dan Nitzel, NOHVA Business Manager
Updated Tuesday, August 01, 2006 09:39 PM

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Exclusive Photos from the Fire at Halsey

As many of you may have heard, there was a large fire at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. This fire is called the Four Corners fire and is reported to start in the "middle west (center)" allotment, near windmill 174, and spread east about seven to eight miles into the east part of the "north grouse" and "south grouse" allotments. The cause of the fire has been determined to be caused by some human activity. It was brought under control before the large area of trees were effected. However, some trees did get burned in the "north grouse" and "south grouse" allotments. About 5567 acres were burned, mostly open grass covered sand dunes. (map of area effected)

An Emergency Fire Closure has been issued by the U.S. Forest Service in Chadron. Under this order, travel by the public is prohibited in certain areas. A copy of the order and a map of the effected area was issued January 31, 2006 by the Forest Service. A copy was forwarded to us by a NOHVA member 11 days after the order went into effect. Please be aware that anyone riding an ATV, dirtbike, or driving any vehicle in the area that has been ordered closed may be subject to a stiff fine. It would be my guess that Forest Service officials are actively patrolling the burned area.

VIEW THE EMERGENCY FIRE CLOSURE ORDER AND MAP

The closure order is in effect until it is rescinded or revoked or until July 15, 2006. Be aware that it will be difficult to control erosion from the wind until late spring or summer, depending upon how much moisture the area receives between now and then. With the already dry vegetation being burned off in some areas, traffic from motorized trail users can disturb the burned surface and cause even more erosion. This erosion potential will exist until new vegetation can become established this summer.

A $2,000 reward is being offered for information on who started the fire that scorched almost 6,000 acres of grassland and trees on the national forest near Halsey. The fire, which began near a windmill Jan. 15, cost an estimated $250,000 over three days to put out. U.S. Forest Service fire investigators have deemed the fire "human caused" but have not determined if it was set or started accidentally. Even if the fire began accidentally, a person can be held responsible for the firefighting costs, said Jerry Schumacher, a Forest Service spokesman in Chadron. Anyone with information is asked to call Phil Geenen, a forest service officer, at (605) 745-4107 or the Bessey District ranger at (308) 533-2257.

ATV, dirtbike, and 4x4 traffic -
The Dismal trail, and trails away from the burned areas are now open. As usual, the campgrounds are open under winter camping conditions without water. During the fire and a few days following the fire, the area was temporarily closed to recreational ATV and dirtbike riders and trail users. Now that things have settled down, we have been informed by the U.S. Forest Service that some roads, the Dismal trail, and other trails such as to the hill climb area are now open. Trails from the Dismal trail to 203 (Circle Road) and particularly the area around where the fire occurred are closed. Forest Service officials will be patrolling the area to keep people away from the area that suffered fire damage. If you are riding in the areas where the fire was, you will be ticketed.

The Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association is asking that all ATV and dirtbike riders be very careful where they ride at Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. In addition to disturbing the soil surface, there are many burned trees in the area and they may fall at any time. This is particularly true considering the strong winds we have witnessed this year. Before the fire occurred, there were numerous tress were blocking many of the trails from strong winds last month and work parties have not had a chance to get them cleared. The fire only increases the probability of falling tress and blocked trails.

This web site will be updated as information is passed along to us.

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News releases from the Nebraska National Forest - Latest release at the top

Final Four Corners Fire Update
January 18, 2006--9:30 a.m.
For additional information contact: Bessey Ranger District 308-533-2257
Fire Size: 5567 acres
Location: Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, 8 miles southwest of Halsey, NE
Date Started: Sunday, January 15, 2006 at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation.
Percent Contained: 100 percent as of 5:00 p.m. January 17, 2006
Personnel: Approximately 25. Demobilization is underway. Fire management has been turned over to local Forest Service personnel. Eight person BAER (Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation) Team on site to determine rehab needs related to fire, and fire suppression, activities.
Resources include: 3 Wildland fire engines, 16 person hand crew.

Current Situation: A Forest Service fire investigator determined that the fire was human-caused and collected evidence at the fire’s point of origin. There does not appear to be any indication that the fire was intentionally set, however, the investigation is continuing. Anyone who saw vehicles or persons in the area of the fire on Sunday morning, January 15, 2006 is encouraged to call the Thomas County Sheriff at 308-645-2418 or the Bessey Ranger District office at 308-533-2257.

Mop-up operations are continuing to extinguish hot spots and monitor smoldering areas well within the fire perimeter. Some smoke may be visible as unburned fuel continues to burn in the interior. Remaining engine and hand crews will be working on rehabilitating the fire lines while monitoring the fire area for hot spots.

The BAER team has begun to assess the fire and fire suppression effects and will provide recommendations to rehabilitate damage caused by the fire and resulting control activities within 10 days.

Four Corners Fire Update
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 5:00 p.m.
For additional information contact: Bessey Ranger District 308-533-2257
Fire Size: 5567 acres
Location: Nebraska National Forest 8 miles southwest of Halsey, NE
Date Started: Sunday January 15, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.
Cause: Human - under investigation
Percent Contained: 100 percent as of 5:00 p.m. Tuesday night, January 17, 2006.
Personnel: Approximately 100. This number will be changing as resources are currently being released.
Resources include: 14 engines, 1 water tender, 1 dozer, and overhead personnel. Agencies assisting include volunteer fire departments, National Park Service, South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression, Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska Highway Patrol.

Current Situation:
A fire investigator arrived on scene yesterday and determined that the fire appears to be human caused. It is still under investigation, and it is requested that anyone in the area between 0700 and 1000 hours on Sunday morning who may have seen anything that could help the investigation should call the Thomas County Sheriff at 645-2418 or the Bessey District Office of the US Forest Service at 533-2257.

Today crews made great progress mopping up any hot spots near the line and full containment was reached at 5:00 pm. The Incident Management Team will turn management back to the Bessey Ranger District tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. Four engines and a hand crew will remain on scene to continue to work on hot spots within the fire perimeter and will begin rehabilitation of the fire lines.

Although the fire is contained, smoke may still be visible in the surrounding communities. Pockets of unburned fuel well in the interior of the fire may ignite and stump holes and downed logs may smolder for several days.

Four Corners Fire Update
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 9:00 a.m.
For additional information contact: Bessey Ranger District 308-533-2257
Fire Size: 5567 acres
Location: Nebraska National Forest 8 miles southwest of Halsey, NE
Date Started: Sunday January 15, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.
Cause: Human - under investigation
Percent Contained: 70 percent as of 6:00 p.m. Monday night, January 16, 2006.
Personnel: Approximately 100. This number will be changing as activity winds down this afternoon and resources are released.

Resources include: 14 engines, 1 water tender, 1 dozer, and overhead personnel. Agencies assisting include volunteer fire departments, National Park Service, South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression, US Forest Service, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska Highway Patrol.

GPS was used yesterday to determine the actual size of the fire. Crews worked through the night monitoring the fire and strengthening the line. They made good progress last night despite the extremely cold temperatures. Weather predicted for today is favorable for the continued fire fighting effort. Crews will continue to construct and improve hand line and will begin mopping up more than 100 feet inside the line. The immediate response of local volunteer fire departments and fuel breaks that had been created this summer aided in the successful fire suppression.

Although the fire is almost completely contained and is not expected to grow any larger, smoke may still be visible in the surrounding communities. Pockets of unburned fuel well in the interior of the fire may ignite and stump holes and downed logs may smolder for several days.

Fire fighter and public safety is always the number one priority. Currently the fire area is closed to allow for public and firefighter safety. Trees that have been weakened by fire may fall at anytime. Stump holes and loose sandy soil are also safety concerns. Crews are also cautioned to watch for hypothermia.

NEWS RELEASE
Nebraska National Forest
Date: January 16, 2006 Contact Brenda Bowen or Jerry Schumacher Phone 308-533-2257
Four Corners Fire Update
Monday—1600

    Despite strong, gusty winds great progress was made on the Four Corners
Fire today.
    The Four Corners Fire began at about 1100 on Sunday, January 15 and grew
to an estimated 9600 acres due to strong winds. Predictions for more high
winds today caused concern that the fire would be difficult to contain.
Tom Smith, Operations Section Chief with the Black Hills Interagency
Incident Management Team said, “The part of the fire near roads 212 and 203
had potential to get real bad, but we were able to get in there this
morning and get it knocked down.”
    Fuel breaks that were previously created are also credited for slowing the
fire’s progression. It was reported by firefighters that the fuel breaks
are doing their job. The fire is slowing down in these areas and is giving
crews the opportunity to line the perimeter.
    Today crews worked on constructing fire line around the perimeter of the
fire. A Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to try to determine the
actual fire size. Tonight engines will be monitoring the fire and working
on any areas that may pose a hazard. There are approximately 70 personnel
assigned to the incident. The fire is currently estimated at 70%
contained.
    The fire appears to be human caused and is under investigation. Anyone in
the area between 0700 and 1000 hours who may have seen anything that could
help the investigation should call the Thomas County Sheriff at 645-2418 or
the Bessey District Office of the US Forest Service at 533-2257.
    The Black Hills Interagency Incident Management Team commends the local
Forest Service and volunteer fire departments for the work that was done
yesterday. “Much of the work that was done yesterday by the local
volunteer fire departments and local Forest Service units helped us meet a
great deal of our tactical objectives today. They did a great job,” said
Joe Lowe, Incident Commander.

NEWS RELEASE
Nebraska National Forest
Date: January 16, 2006 Contact     Brenda Bowen or Jerry Schumacher Phone 308-533-2257

Four Corners Fire Update
Monday--0900
    A forest fire in January is nearly as unusual as a national forest in
Nebraska’s Sandhills.
    The Four Corners Fire began at about 1100 on Sunday, January 15 near the
west boundary of the Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District and
quickly spread from west to east driven by strong, gusty winds. The fire
start was about nine miles southeast of Thedford, NE. The fire’s cause is
currently under investigation.
    “We had an incredible response by local area volunteer fire departments,”
said District Ranger, Patti Barney. “Within a few hours we had 200
volunteers from 19 departments helping on the fire.”
    Early Monday morning the Black Hills Interagency Type III Fire Team
relieved local Forest Service and volunteer fire crews. Incident
Commander, Joe Lowe, explained that control of the fire continues to be
hampered by high winds.
    “We have a Single Engine Air Tanker or SEAT available at a portable air
tanker base in Valentine, NE but we’ll have to see if the winds will allow
us to use the aircraft,” said Lowe.
    There are 10 fire engines, a 20 person hand crew, and a dozer currently
assigned to the fire. No containment time has been projected.

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This page was updated on Tuesday, August 01, 2006