Nebraska wildfires kill ex-fire chief, injure 11 firemen

Wind-driven wildfires in Nebraska killed a former fire chief and wounded 11 firemen Sunday.

The retired Cambridge fire chief died Friday night while working as a spotter with firefighters in Red Willow County, in the state’s southwest. Firefighters say 66-year-old John P. Trumble of Arapahoe was overtaken by smoke and flames after his car was off the road due to poor visibility caused by smoke and dust. He died early Saturday.

Sanders said 11 firefighters were hurt battling the blazes, but she didn’t indicate where or how badly they were hurt.

Since Friday, blazes have been reported in 12 counties. The state agency reported they were still burning Saturday night in Perkins, Hayes, Furnas, Red Willow, and Frontier counties. The government did not estimate the overall scorched area or the number of houses or other structures lost.

Sanders said her organization didn’t have all the facts since local fire departments handled most of the calls.

The flames prompted the evacuation of several small communities in Nebraska, including Cambridge, Bartley, Indianola, Wilsonville, and Macy. It was lifted Saturday.

For the fight, the Nebraska National Guard sent three helicopters and support trucks.

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