Wildfire in Custer, Nebraska

Fire initiated along highway 2 in the vicinity of the Cooksley Ranch, 6 miles northwest of Anselmo during the morning hours of April 12th. Known as the Cooksley Complex Fire, strong southerly winds pushed the fire to the north and north northwest during the afternoon hours of the 12th. Dry lightning and a wind shift forced the fire east on the 13th. By the time the fire was contained on the morning of April 14th, it had consumed approximately 37000 acres of rangeland. A home was destroyed at the McGinn Ranch and a bunkhouse was lost as well. Several calves were also lost in the fire in addition to outbuildings.

Persistent drought conditions, strong southerly winds and unseasonably hot temperatures in the 90s initiated three major fires across western and north central Nebraska in mid April. Major fires were reported in Cherry County, Custer and Blaine Counties and Garfield County.