Fire training planned at Buffalo Creek WMA

Firefighters are gearing up for the Western Nebraska Engine Academy on Sept. 12-14, which includes training exercises at Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area in the Wildcat Hills near Gering.

Chris Becker, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife biologist, said the wildlife area is not closing to the public, but hunters and others should be aware burning may occur at various locations on the property. Training exercises include igniting and extinguishing fire.

Becker said the annual event readies personnel from multiple agencies for fighting fire while providing the benefits of prescribed burning. Land managers in western Nebraska often use prescribed burning to improve the diversity of desirable plants and lessen the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

For more information about the academy, contact the Gering Fire Department at [email protected] or 308-436-2441.