Starting fires helped contain a Nebraska wildfire - and ignited another

Nebraska’s mild and dry winter set up the state for major wildfires early this spring. Graphic by Quentin Lueninghoener of Hanscom Park Studios for the Flatwater Free Press. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor and wildfire.gov.
Nebraska’s mild and dry winter set up the state for major wildfires early this spring. Graphic by Quentin Lueninghoener of Hanscom Park Studios for the Flatwater Free Press. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor and wildfire.gov.

This story is made possible through a partnership between Flatwater Free Press and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

As the fast-moving blaze rolled toward Fire Chief Jason Schneider…