The Nebraska Army National Guard activated two helicopter crews and support personnel to provide additional aerial firefighting capabilities at the request of local authorities in several north central Nebraska counties.
Eleven solders were deployed Thursday evening from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Grand Island along with one CH-47 Chinook helicopter, one UH-72 Lakota helicopter and one fuel tank truck. Both helicopters are equipped with water buckets.
Severe weather Wednesday afternoon and evening produced lightning strikes believed to have sparked at least 20 different fires. The largest burned approximately 6,000 acres near Brush Creek and Highway 11.
As of Friday morning, the National Guard crews have completed 34 drops totaling more than 23,000 gallons of water. About 10 volunteer fire departments have assisted, including two from South Dakota. The fires are now 96% contained.