Anderson Bridge Fire: Community rallies in the face of devastation

As hot spots flare up and smoke is carried along the Niobrara River Valley as people begin evacuating their homes south of Kilgore on Anderson Bridge Road. The fire began Thursday, March 12, at approximately 3:30 p.m. MST. In all, over 17,000 acres burned. Photo by Tina Boone

The home of Auggie and Deb Galloway. Kilgore Assistant Fire Chief Mark Johnson said, “It looks like a death zone down by Amish. They lost one new large home, cabin, and several horse and baby calves. Galloway house caught fire an burned the deck off and got hot enough to break out several windows and warp the front door. Blacked all of the west side of the house and half of the front. Cody fire trucks got there in time to get house fire put out, thankfully.” Photos by Laura Vroman

Keya Paha firefighters change shifts at the VFD. There were many mutual aid departments helping throughout the state as there many fires due to drought and red flag weather conditions.

The Sandhills are blackened after Thursday’s fire roared through the river valley after a mighty high wind event. Prayers for moisture!