BREAKING... Fontenelle Forest Bellevue, NE fire in progress (news video)

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Sun Apr 20, 2014, 10:31 AM - Edit history (3)

Source: Omaha Steve

The fire is in at least two areas. Drought conditions prevail in the area. One line of fire is over 150 yards wide. Trees and grass with high winds driving it to the north. Fire crews are having trouble reaching the area. We are watching the fire from our deck. We will post Marta's photos when time allows. The fire is about 100 yards to the east of us. There is a wetland between us and the fire. There are no homes in danger at this time that we know of.

Details to follow. The fire that we know of is at the bottom of the green area on the map moving up.

OS






Read more: Link to source

[ForgoTheConsequence]

1. Saw smoke in South O.

Didn't know where it was coming from. Is the Omaha Fire Department helping out? I'm sure Bellevue's volunteer department isn't equipped for a forest fire.

[Omaha Steve]

12. Several departments helped out

Bellevue's fire dept. is in transition. We currently have a part time dept. Bellevue will be hiring 20+ full time crew members over the next couple months. Over the next few years it will become completely a full time employee dept. Our home insurance just dropped 25% last month because of the new status.

A row of trees that blocked our view of the river are gone. It used to be we could just see small glimpses of the river. We have a great view now.

OS

[livetohike]

2. Stay safe!

[mahina]

3. good luck!

[Gumboot]

4. Oh jeez, here we go again...

... and it's only April. I hope the fire fighters can get a hold of this one quickly.

Best wishes, and good luck to you all from Colorado Springs - where we're all dreading another hot and dry summer.

[oldandhappy]

5. Be safe.

This is the new reality. Hard to believe you have this in April, eh?

[Omaha Steve]

6. First photos

The fire is still burning in several areas. We have the wetland and the railroad tracks for fire breaks between the flames and our home. More news when we have it.

Rain is expected tomorrow.

This area of the forest has been under a great amount of stress since an early October snow storm in 1997. Trees throughout the area suffered from the weight of snow on limbs still covered with leaves. A couple wind storms since then have made things worse.

Three years ago most of the area that burned today was under flood water for several months. Lots of dead wood to feed the fire. This may be a beneficial fire for the portion of the forest that burned.

[KoKo]

7. (((Good Vibes to You))) having to go through this..

And your positive attitude about the Forest Regeneration.

Still very stressful for you all to have to go through right now.

[Lefta Dissenter]

8. So scary

Stay safe, and thanks for the powerful photos.

[Omaha Steve]

9. Crews working to subdue brush fire that may spread to Fontenelle Forest

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140419/NEWS/140418153/1685#crews-working-to-subdue-brush-fire-that-may-spread-to-fontenelle-forest

By Liz McCue

Bellevue firefighters were battling a smoky brush fire Saturday night that they feared could threaten Fontenelle Forest.

Firefighters were working to knock down the blaze before it spreads north toward the forest, said Jack Syphers, spokesman for the Bellevue Fire Department.

Syphers said the fire is believed to have started in the late afternoon along Burlington Northern railroad tracks north of Haworth Park and the College Heights area.

He said he was concerned because of dry conditions, wind gusts in the area and the difficulty containing the blaze.

FULL story at link.

This is the BNSF train right of way that acted as a firebreak to the homes in College Heights. This photo is to the north of us where the fire was headed. There was a flair up at Kountze Park an hour ago that caused a lot of concern for our addition.

OS

[Rhiannon12866]

10. KETV News Link: Bellevue brush fire forces nearby evacuation

Animals, staff moved from Gifford Farm

BELLEVUE, Neb. —Firefighters from Bellevue and Omaha responded to a strong blaze Saturday evening.

The brush fire broke out during the early evening, between the Missouri River levee and nearby railroad tracks, according to first responders on scene. The unique position made it impossible for crews to use their normal equipment, so first responders were walking and using all terrain vehicles to transport five gallon buckets of water, one official told a KETV NewsWatch 7 photographer. At one point, the same official said flames were reaching 15 feet into the air.

Firefighters evacuated the nearby Gifford Farm, an educational complex that houses dozens of animals.

Read more: http://www.ketv.com/news/bellevue-brush-fire-forces-nearby-evcacuation/25569564#ixzz2zOOtFkpA

[SCVDem]

11. What will it take?

I guess when the aquifer is fracked and oiled and causes the fire to grow when sprayed on the flames, then it will get peoples attention.

Imagine Gaslands burning taps on a forest fire scale.

What would Faux say?

[Omaha Steve]

13. WOWT news video

Video here: http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Bellevue-Fire-Crews-Battle-Brush-Fire-255896211.html?ref=211


Below you can see where the fire is up to the Missouri river and is over 1/2 mile long at this time.

[Omaha Steve]

15. Omaha World Herald uses Marta's fire photo for online story

Published on the DU last night.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140419/NEWS/140418153

[Oldtimeralso]

16. Another effect

The fire is causing Amtrak to detour the California Zephyr (train #5 and train #6). The train will bypass Omaha and the Omaha passengers will be bused to Lincoln NE.

[Omaha Steve]

17. There was a flare up Sunday around 1 PM

More trucks were called back in. They hope to get photos taken from a helicopter today to see exactly what happened.




http://www.kptm.com/story/25293081/large-brush-fire-near-haworth-park-keeps-bellevue-firefighters-busy-all-night

BELLEVUE (KPTM) - The Bellevue Fire Department battled a brush fire more than a mile long that threatened Haworth Park, Fontenelle Forest, and forced the evacuation of Gifford Farm Saturday night into Sunday afternoon.

Bellevue's fire chief says his crews were called in just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening. The crews were told of a brush fire along the railroad tracks just north of Haworth Park.

The location of the fire made putting it out very difficult, with uneven terrain. Firefighters had to either walk into the area of the fire or use off road vehicles.

The fire extended up to a mile-and-a-half with flames reaching up to 25 feet into the air.

FULL story at link.