High Winds Fuel 138 Acre Curry Timber Fire East of Peru

Southeast Nebraska hasn’t been spared during this spring fire season. The Peru Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass fire report Friday, March 27.
According to Peru, Nebraska Fire Chief and Nemaha County Sheriff Brent Lottman, the fire started east of Olive Street at the northeast corner of town near the Steamboat Trace Trailhead. It spread quickly amid high winds, dry conditions, and Red Flag warnings, which indicate extreme fire danger.
According to a release by the Peru Fire Department, mutual aid was requested from fire departments in Auburn, Brock, Julian, and Nemaha, with Nebraska City joining as the incident escalated.
Difficult terrain and limited access hampered early containment efforts. The Southeast Nebraska Incident Management Assistance Team (SEN-IMAT) and a Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team were called in Friday evening, with most personnel arriving overnight and into Saturday morning.
Fire crews, assisted by local farmers, worked to contain the blaze by plowing and discing firebreaks.
By early Sunday, fire lines were in place, preventing further spread, and responding agencies began demobilizing.
In total, Lottman said 138 acres burned, stretching from Olive Street along the Steamboat Trace Trail east to drainage ditches near Buck Creek.
Lottman said the fire has not spread since Saturday. The Peru Fire Department continues to monitor hot spots and will do so until conditions improve or the area receives significant moisture. Lottman also noted there were no structural properties damaged.
Responding agencies included:
Fire departments:
Auburn, Brock, Julian, Nemaha, Nebraska City, Fairbury Rural, Beatrice Rural, Barnston, Blue Springs, Wymore, Diller, Plymouth, Elk Creek, Cook, Humboldt, Avoca, Murray, Nehawka, Plattsmouth, Elmwood, Murdock, Sutton, Harvard, Henderson, and Clay Center.
Other agencies:
Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office, Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Southeast Nebraska Incident Management Assistance Team (representing Nemaha, Otoe, Cass, Lancaster, Johnson/Pawnee, Fillmore, and Thayer county emergency management agencies), Grayback Forestry, Hexagon Helicopters, the Bureau of Land Management, and the City of Peru.
Individuals and private sector support:
Community members donated supplies, time, food, and drinks for responders. Mark Trail and Scott and Ethan Coatney provided farm equipment, and Auburn Auto Center assisted with after-hours repairs.