Banner County Vol. Fire & Rescue

06/13/2026

We are currently experiencing an increase of smoke in the area that is being blown in from other fires, probably the South Fork fire in Crawford.

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

06/10/2026

Night operations on the South Fork Fire

06/10/2026

The South Fork Fire has crossed Nebraska Highway 20 and is moving southeast. The highway is currently closed. Due to the rapid growth of the fire, managers have ordered an incident management team.

Road closure specifics can be found here: https://511.nebraska.gov/@-103.69323,42.48916,9?show=roadReports,constructionReports,trafficSpeeds

For the latest updates for South Fork Fire, please see our announcement on the fire InciWeb page:
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-announcement/nenbf-south-fork-fire

05/27/2026

Banner County completed containment lines on the Graduation Fire at 16:00 today. Todays crews included 6 trucks and 10 personnel from Banner County VFD, a water tanker and dozer from the road department, Banner County Sheriff’s office, region 22 emergency management, Bushnell, Sidney, and Dix each with a type6 truck and 2 personnel. We finished lines through the timber on both the northeast and southwest ends as well as mop-up on hot spots in the interior. We had one aerial drop of retardant from the SEAT plane. We will continue monitoring through the night with one truck and crew.

05/27/2026

Graduation Fire 5/26/2026

05/27/2026

Graduation Fire on 5/26/2026

05/27/2026

At 14:09 this afternoon, Banner County was dispatched to a rekindle on the Graduation Fire. A hotspot buried in the duff under some trees blew out from the high winds. It spread to the canyon directly west and north into the grass. Currently we’re estimating 105 acres with half that in timber. We’ve got a perimeter established and have trucks on night shift to monitor. Thank you to the neighboring departments for assistance and the local neighbors for help with a disc,water trucks,and food.

05/17/2026

Graduation fire 5/16/2026
Cause - lightning strike

Shortly after 5:00 Saturday evening, Banner County was dispatched to a grass fire 11 miles west of Harrisburg in the south range of hills. While enroute it was apparent that due to the location and fire intensity that mutual aid was needed. Bushnell, Albin Wy, LaGrange Wy, and Lyman were requested. The fire was located at the head of a canyon in heavy timber on a steep slope. It was starting spot fires on the opposite canyon wall. We attacked in multiple spots with hose lays and hand tools. Total acreage measured only 5 acres but it was a tough 5. Banner County responded with 7 trucks and 18 personnel. The other departments brought the total to 20 trucks and 45 personnel and every one was used. Thank you all for the assistance. We kept a truck overnight for night watch and only had one blowout which was dealt with. Sunday morning brought two more trucks and crews to finish mop-up and we cleared scene shortly after 11:00.