Grass fire affects Hastings

On Feb. 8, ten acres in Hastings, Neb. were affected by a grass fire that had gotten out of hand. Around 2:00 p.m., firefighters of Hastings Rural, Trumbull, Doniphan, Roseland and Juniata Fire along with the Salvation Army and Southern Power all responded to the call for help. Adams County Emergency Manager, Ron Pughes, was the first to make the call. Pughes would later say that it could have been much worse. When he made the call, it was not originally for a fire but for a car on the side of the road.

It is believed that the car on the side of Marian Road was the original cause of the fire, as it started in the same place and jumped over to 26th street. The fire ended up closing the railroad there between Marian and 26th.

Due to the rapid spread of the fire, there was concern regarding whether to call for shelter in place or evacuation on 12th street. Eventually, because of the high smoke levels, residents were told to keep their doors and windows closed.

Hastings was under a “no burn” warning, so fires were not allowed to be lit. This was due to the dry conditions and the high winds in the area. 

Eventually, local farmers would come to assist all the departments in containing the fire. They brought out tractors with special equipment to create lines within the land so the fire would not go further.

Hastings Rural Fire Department Chief Nathan Hamik said grass and corn stubble was burned in the fire. No injuries were reported in the blaze. Due to the high winds and dry conditions of the vegetation, Hamik said the fire spread quickly. He said the efforts of the volunteers, farmers and city firefighters helped quickly resolve the fire. “We appreciate every department and personnel who helped,” he said.

By TJ Pittenger