GERING, Neb. – The Gering Fire Department will again lead fire training exercises on public land in the Panhandle for the annual West Nebraska Engine Academy. This year, the training exercises will be at Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area in the Wildcat Hills on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15.
Chris Becker, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife biologist, said hunters should be aware that burning will be occurring at various locations on the property and should consider the event if they plan to pursue game there that weekend.
Becker said the event, which was at Buffalo Creek WMA last year, will not only help train firefighters for a live fire, but that the area will see the benefits of prescribed burning as a bonus. Land managers in the Panhandle often use prescribed burning to improve diversity of desirable plants and lessen the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
“It’s hard to do a lot of prescribed burning in the Wildcat Hills because of the risks associated with it,” he said. “This event will have the resources and people available to ensure the burning goes smoothly.”
About 30 fire departments, along with state and federal agencies, are expected to be represented at the event.
More information about the event may be obtained by contacting the Gering Fire Department at firedept@gering.org or 308-436-2441.
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