Dads Lake fire south of Valentine burns approximately 23,000 acres
A fire that ignited Friday near Dads Lake, south of Valentine, has burned an estimated 23,000 acres, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
By News Channel NebraskaVALENTINE, Neb. - A fire that ignited Friday near Dads Lake, south of Valentine, has burned an estimated 23,000 acres, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The fire began on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge but spread to nearby land outside the refuge. Preliminary information suggests it may have been sparked by a UTV used for refuge operations, FWS reported.
“It is rare for fire officials to release a preliminary cause prior to an investigation concluding, but Valentine National Wildlife Refuge officials are sharing this information in an abundance of transparency with our community,” FWS stated in a press release.
The fire drew a large response, with around 15 fire departments, FWS personnel, local landowners, and multiple public safety and law enforcement agencies working to contain the flames. On Friday, the Cherry County Sheriff’s Office advised residents west of Brownlee, between the refuge and Brownlee Road, to prepare for possible evacuation. Deputies, emergency management teams, and the Nebraska State Patrol went door-to-door, warning residents of the fire’s potential danger.