Fire near Gering has burned 15,000 acres; Nebraska National Guard deployed

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As a fire southwest of Gering continues to burn, the Nebraska Army National Guard has been activated to help.

With approval from Gov. Pete Ricketts, six personnel with a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter and water bucket were activated Sunday.

Then on Monday evening, the guard deployed three more soldiers and one more UH-60, for a total of nine National Guard soldiers and two UH-60 helicopters supporting the local authorities.

The Carter Canyon fire has now burned 15,630 acres, according to the Nebraska Forest Service.

SEE ALSO: 13,000-acre blaze burning near Gering

There are currently over 35 fire departments assisting in the battle, and it is about 30% contained, forest service spokesman Ben Bohall said.

He clarified that 30% containment does not indicate that 30% of the fire is out.

“It means that 30% of the fire’s perimeter is hemmed in by barriers such as places the fire has already burned and there’s no longer vegetation that can ignite, roads, line dug by hand crews or bulldozers, or natural boundaries such as streams,” Bohall said.

Courtesy: Nebraska State Patrol

Crews have been dealing with increased wind gusts and shifts, as well as near 100-degree heat. The Nebraska Forest Service says there is a good chance for rain and lighting soon, which they’ll be monitoring closely.

It also reports that the fire has prompted evacuations, destroyed three homes and caused damage to several others.

The Ewing family says their ranch near Gering has been reduced to rubble. The family was forced to evacuate last weekend, when the fire began burning a few miles south of them.

The family says that their ranch has been around for generations and that luckily, they were able to get their animals and some of their belongings to safety.

A GoFundMe page has been started to help the family rebuild.