Marker dedicated one year after wildfire
A large inscribed rock was dedicated just below C Hill on the Chadron State College campus Saturday morning to serve as a reminder of the wildfires that were burning out of control in Dawes and Sioux counties exactly a year ago.
The rock bears just 50 words, but its message will undoubtedly help area residents who visit it via the hiking and biking trails behind CSC to recall one of the most frightening periods in the history of northwest Nebraska. Flames fanned by strong winds sped through the pine-covered hills in the two counties, causing widespread destruction.
The inscription on the rock that is estimated to weigh a ton and was obtained through Landmarks Stone in Hot Springs says:
“July 26-August 3, 2006
“Wildfires caused by lightning burned 68,000 acres in Dawes and Sioux counties. This marker is dedicated to the firefighters and volunteers from seven states and the people of the communities that fought the fires. Three homes were destroyed. No lives were lost. The Spotted Tail fired burned to this point.”
The marker was purchased by KCSR Radio from proceeds of the sale of a DVD that the station made of scenes from the fire.
During the brief ceremony, KCSR announcer J.J. Archer said the fires affected almost all of the people in the area, so it is appropriate that the event is remembered with a large memento.
“It is our hope that this stone will stand for a long time as a tactile reminder of what happened last year. To remind us to not take our community for granted. But also to teach others who pass this way for years to come a small bit of history about the people who live here,” Archer said.
Among those attending the brief ceremony was Jerry Traphagen. The home belonging to him and his wife Mary located just a half mile or so from where the marker has been placed was among those destroyed by the fire. Traphagen said footings were poured for a new home to be constructed at the same location this past week.
Category: Campus Announcements, Campus News