FAIRBURY, Neb --  Wildfire season is already proving to be a challenge for rural Nebraska fire departments. Last week, crews from Jefferson and Gage counties were among those who responded to a large fire near Broken Bow in Custer County.  Barry Schwab with the Fairbury Rural Volunteer Fire Departments says local firefighters provided much-needed assistance through a statewide mutual aid program.  The 3 and 33 Mutual Aid Association sent personnel and equipment to help relieve local crews. 

With dry conditions and high winds in the forecast, Schwab warns this fire season could be a difficult one.

"Things are not shaping up to be real favorable for us this fire season. We've been told by experts that the conditions are right for 2025 to be similar to 2012, which was the worst wildfire season in Nebraska state history. That's not very encouraging, obviously, but at least we are being given a heads up and so we're implementing whatever plans we can to keep things tamped down."

From now until the end of April, there are a lot of prescribed burns going on to burn off their CRP to satisfy federal contracts or to get rid of unwanted vegetation.  One major concern is controlled burns getting out of hand, but Schwab says caution is key.


"Throughout the year, of course, we write burn permits for people to burn off their brush piles and whatnot. But again, with this time of year being when people want to get in and burn swaths of land, we need to go over those individual's burn plans more thoroughly, talk with them, and make sure that they've got the resources that they need, the equipment, the personnel to conduct a safe and effective burn."

To help, the Fairbury Rural Fire Department is holding weekly burn permit clinics. Every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairbury Rural Fire Department, officials will review burn plans and issue permits. Schwab reminds landowners that burn permits aren’t just a precaution—they’re required by state law as there's a statewide open burning ban, and only the local fire chief can lift it by issuing a permit. Schwab says fire personnel need to know what’s happening in their district and ensure burns are being conducted safely.

"Nebraska state statute requires a burn plan for every land management burn. Our department goes over them carefully and if we feel they haven't adequately planned, we will help them create a plan that will help ensure they have the minimum resources needed as well as weather conditions that will allow as safe of a burn as possible." Fairbury fire chief Judd Stewart wrote in a comment on Facebook. "For over 15 years now we have been offering our time on Monday nights in March to assist with developing their burn plans, however, outside of those 4 nights, they still need a burn plan per statute before they get their permit."


Again, the Fairbury Rural Fire Department will be holding burn permit clinics for their district every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairbury Rural Fire Department on Highway 15.