More than 25 departments had responded to the scene of the fire with more than 170 responders helping battle the fire.
The the city of Peru Facebook page reported a fire near Olive Street and 5th Street, across from the city’s lagoons, at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
Peru Emergency Services issued a press release Monday afternoon concerning the fire.
Friday afternoon (3/27/2026), about 3:42pm a report of a grass fire east of Peru on the Olive Street was received by the Nemaha County 911 Center. Peru Fire responded and requested mutual aid from Auburn, Brock, Julian and Nemaha Fire Department. Nebraska City Fire Department was also called for mutual aid as the incident progressed. Strong north winds and dry conditions, which had prompted the Red Flag Warnings, as well as limited access prevented prompt containment of the fire which let to continued grass and brush fire on the flat as well as spot fires in the bluff area. The combination of lack of access and terrain resulted in requesting additional resources.
The Southeast Nebraska Incident Management Assistance Team (SENI-MAT) and Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team (WIRAT) was contacted for assistance in the early evening. Fire department from the initial response departments monitored the fire, set up defenses at several residences and conducted what firefighting activities they safely could during the overnight hours.
Saturday morning, outside resources including the 3 & 33 Strike Team (Gage and Jefferson Counties), Sutton Fire Department Task Force, numerous agencies from Cass County, Gray Back wildland firefighting, Hexagon Helicopter and several local farmers with tractors and disks began arrived to work to control the fire. Great progress was made on Saturday; however, containment was still limited and the risk of spread remained. Saturday night, surrounding fire departments, including those on the initial response, Elk Creek, Cook and Humboldt Fire Department assisted in monitoring the fire, defending residences and performing those duties that could safely be done during the night.
Sunday, the same agencies who worked Saturday returned to work to put in fire lines and limit the ability of the fire to spread. Sunday evening, the above agencies were demobilized and the Peru Fire Department continues to monitor the area.
We would like to thank all of the following agencies who assisted:
Fire Departments:
Auburn, Brock, Julian, Nemaha, Nebraska City, Fairbury Rural, Beatrice Rural, Barnston, Blue Springs, Wymore, Diller, Plymouth, Elk Creek, Cook, Humboldt, Avoca, Murray, Nehawka, Plattsmouth, Elmwood, Murdock, Sutton, Harvard, Henderson, Clay Center
Other Agencies:
Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office, Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Southeast Nebraska Incident Management Assistance Team (Nemaha, Otoe, Cass, Lancaster, Johnson/Pawnee, Fillmore and Thayer County Emergency Management Agencies – on scene), Gray Back, Hexigon Helicopter, Bureau of Land Management and City of Peru.
Individuals and Private Sector:
Everyone who donated supplies and/or helped with or donated food and drinks (these individuals are numerous). Mark Trail and Scott and Ethan Coatney for farm equipment. Auburn Auto Center for off hours repair assistance.
We apologize to anyone who we accidently didn’t get included, your help is no less appreciated.
Again, thank you to all of the individuals and agencies who assisted, even those who just gave us room to work.
