Learning a major part of prescribed burn at Enders

    Not only did Saturday’s prescribed burn near the town of Enders lessen the risk of wildfire potential near the lake and the community, it also provided valuable training for several groups.
    Kelsey Weiss, 2nd assistant chief with the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department (IVFD), said the exercise provided 45 people from area fire departments, Imperial EMS and the NE Game and Parks Commission valuable training.
    “In our after action review, all commented they learned a lot,” he said.
    Starting mid-morning, the exercise originally hoped to burn off about 420 acres north of the lake.
    However, conditions Saturday limited them to burning only 155 acres, Weiss said.
    “Conditions weren’t right to do it all. It took us longer than anticipated,” he said.
    Included in the area to be burned were invasive species like eastern red cedars and vegetation that burns quickly.
    There aren’t plans this year to finish the area mapped out in the prescribed burn, Weiss said. Spring is the best time to conduct them, he said.
    In addition to the IVFD, other fire departments with personnel at the burn were Wauneta, Benkelman, Madrid, Wallace, Venango, Grant and Gering.    
    Imperial EMS was on standby, but also had individuals there for training, Weiss said. In addition to Enders Game and Parks Supt. Beau Licking and employee Dayna Scherbarth, G & P personnel from other areas were on scene.
    The Nebraska State Fire Marshall’s Training Division, Nebraska State Forest Service,  as well as Game and Parks helped coordinate the burn with the IVFD.
    Members of the IVFD auxiliary registered attendees in the morning.
    Originally, this prescribed burn near Enders was scheduled about this time last year, but was cancelled after COVID-19 arose. Ninety people were signed up to participate then, Weiss noted.
    According to state officials, historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Prescribed burns can help set back undesirable plants that invade native woodlands and prairies, as well as other grass and wooded areas.