77,000 = the approximate total number of acres burned in the 2012 Niobrara River Valley Fires 100+ = the number of volunteer fire departments that provided mutual aid during the Niobrara River Valley Fires $4,000,000 = the approximate total dollar cost of the Niobrara River Valley Fires 5 = days some Ainsworth Volunteer Firefighters fought without breaking for a night of sleep 120 = the number of feet high the flames of the Fairfield Creek Fire were said to reach in the sky 5,241 = the number of meals served by the Red Cross to firefighters from the morning of Saturday, July 21st through the morning of Friday, July 27th 600 = the approximate number of statewide fire/emergency personnel that came to Ainsworth to assist with the fires 108 = degrees Fahrenheit experienced by firefighters while fighting the Niobrara River Valley Fires 60 = mph, the maximum speed at which the fire was moving at times during the Fairfield Creek Fire 34,000 = feet high the smoke rose during the Fairfield Creek Fire on July 21st, creating a microburst storm $150,000= dollar cost of the fuel used while fighting the fires, excluding the cost of aviation fuel .

The approximately 76,000 acres of Niobrara River Valley that were burned in 2012 during the Fairfield Creek, Hall and Wentworth Fires experienced long-term environmental impacts that altered the types of plants in the region and put the locations of those fires in danger of future major fire incidents.

Fortunately, this is not a typical scene at the front entrance of Ainsworth Community Schools, but for the past week, the facility became the base station for the Red Cross Disaster Relief and the Oregon Trail Baptist Association. There was a sigh of relief by the local people when they realized they did not have to come up with the meals and fix them for the extra 500+ men and women fighting the Fairfield Creek Fire.

The Sandhills Iron Horse Riders held their annual Poker Run with proceeds benefiting two individuals, Alan Lentz and Lori Jeffs Hoffman, to be used to help with medical expenses. Fifty riders signed in before the days events began.

Remember this summer as temperatures rise and corn continues to grow that according to Nebraska Statute §39-301, it is illegal to water a public road with center pivot irrigation systems. If irrigation systems run the risk of watering roadways, they are required to use devices that automatically shut off the end gun according to Neb. Rev. Stat. §39-302. Damage done to public roadways or driving hazards caused by the pivots can result in liability and fines.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ President Joe Biden on Friday blocked a freight railroad strike that would disrupt shipments of all kinds of goods for at least 60 days by naming a board of arbitrators to intervene in the contract dispute.