Gov. Pillen Visits Waconda-Beaver Lake Complex Fire
RELEASE DATE: Apr 10, 2023
April 10, 2023, Union, Nebraska — Gov. Jim Pillen and Maj Gen. Daryl Bohac toured the Waconda-Beaver Lake Complex Fire, Monday to survey the fires that burned approximately 697 acres in Cass County on Saturday and Sunday in Cass County.
About 40 firefighters continued mop-up operations on the fires Monday.
Gov. Pillen thanked volunteer firefighters for their hard work on the response. He reported 90 percent containment on the Beaver Lake Fire and 85 percent containment on the Waconda Lake Fire. Rain from Sunday Night to Monday morning raised the humidity and reduced wind speed helping to stop the spread of the fire.
No structures burned or injuries were reported on the fire. More than 75 firefighters from more than 30 departments worked the fire which started in Iowa over the weekend.
State resources will demobilize Monday evening including the Incident Management Assistance Team, the Wildland Incident Assessment Response Team, and both the Nebraska National Guard UH 60 crew and hand crew. In addition to state resources, local emergency managers in the southeast region of the state will also demobilize. Local crews will continue to monitor and respond to any issues.
Cass County Emergency Management and the incident commanders for the fire expressed appreciation for the many volunteer fire departments that responded to the fires including: Ashland; Avoca; Bennett; Boone; Buffalo County Strike; Dunbar; Elmwood; Fairbury; Gering 1; Gibbon 41; Gretna; Hall-Howard; Ithica; Louisville; Little Sioux, Iowa; Malcolm; Manely; Mead; Mondamin, Iowa; Murdock; Murry; Nebraska National Guard Hand Crew; Nebraska City; Nehawka; Offutt; Peru; Plattsmouth; Raymond; Sutton; Southwest Fire District from Lancaster County; Rural Talamage; Tecumseh; Unadilla; Waverly and Weeping Water.
In addition, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army assisted in the response.
Community members donated plenty of supplies including water and food to the first responders. No further donations of water or food are needed. Anyone wanting to make further donations can make financial donations to the local volunteer fire departments.
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