The fire that started south of Atkinson on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the afternoon is contained, and clean-up is underway. It was announced around 8:05 pm Wednesday night that the fire for the most part was fully contained. There were still a few hot spots that were being monitored.
Below the photos is the timeline of the fire as reported to KBRX. Also the Holt County Emergency Management Agency had word from Atkinson Fire Chief Jeremy Troidl that as of 10:30 pm last night the fire was contained at the Peterson place and the Buss yard, however there were still lots of tree groves and bales burning and smoldering. Fire crews remained on scene overnight to observe. Also Niobrara Valley Electric did suffer fire damage to power poles, crews were on the scene last night. They did have to shut down the Chambers and Swan Lake power stations while repairs were being made. Power was restored around 11 pm.
Here are some photos and a video from the O’Neill Fire & Rescue:
UPDATE 8:56 PM, APRIL 22, 2026
Update from Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation:
They have one transmission line pole to change and one distribution pole to change, this will take them approximately 2 hours, and then they can re-energize our Swan Lake and Chambers substations. So power may be restored approximately 11:00 pm.
UPDATE 8:05 PM, APRIL 22, 2026
THE ATKINSON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS REPORTED THAT FIRE PERSONNEL HAVE LET THEM KNOW THAT THE FULL FIRE IS PRETTY MUCH CONTAINED. THERE ARE A FEW HOT SPOTS THEY ARE WORKING ON. PLEASE STAY ALERT IN CASE THERE ARE ANY FLARE UPS OR IF THERE ARE ANY EMERGENCY MESSAGES. THE O’NEILL COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE CLOSING AS THEY WERE OPEN AS AN EVACUATION LOCATION FOR THOSE IN ATKINSON NEEDING SHELTER.
UPDATE 7:51 PM, APRIL 22, 2026
NO NEW UPDATES ON THE FIRE OTHER THAN MULTIPLE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE AT THE SCENE AND ALSO AIR SUPPORT FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE IS DROPPING WATER. ALL INFORMATION BELOW ON THE LAST TWO UPDATES IS STILL IN EFFECT.
UPDATE 6:35 PM, APRIL 22, 2026
FROM NIOBRARA VALLEY ELECTRIC. THEY WILL BE SHUTTING OFF THE CHAMBERS AND SWAN LAKE SUBSTATIONS AS THEY HAVE POWER POLES ON FIRE. SO RESIDENTS IN CHAMBERS AND SWAN LAKE ON NIOBRARA VALLEY ELECTRIC YOU WILL BE WITHOUT POWER WHILE THEY WORK ON THIS SITUATION
UPDATE AT 6:29 PM, APRIL 22, 2026
THE MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN LIFTED AS THERE HAS BEEN A SHIFT IN THE WIND. AGAIN YOU DO NOT NEED TO EVACUATE AT THIS TIME BUT YOU DO NEED TO BE PREPARED TO LEAVE IN A MOMENTS NOTICE IF SOMETHING SHOULD CHANGE.
THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY 8 MILES SOUTH OF ATKINSON AS OF 6:30 PM. IT HAS ALREADY BURNED 6 MILES IN DISTANCE.
Posted Wednesday, April 22, 2026 5:55 pm
Due to a fire south of Atkinson on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, residents of the City of Atkinson are being asked to evacuate. Listen to 102.9 FM & KBRX.com for further information.
If you need a place to go you can go to the O’Neill Community Center. If you are in Atkinson when you evacuate go East and not West as the fire is moving northwest.
Also Dirty Hands Tap House & Coffee in the HandleBend Building in downtown O’Neill does has seating available for anyone needing a place to go.
