8:30pm UPDATE – The evacuation order has been lifted for the resident of Sumner. Some of the fire departments have been released with a few fire crews helping to maintain and extinguish hot spots. More information will be available as updates are received.
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7:19pm UPDATE – “The residents of Sumner are threatened at this time, the fire is approaching from the southeast headed northwest into Sumner,” Dawson County Emergency Manager said. “We have fire personnel, we have planes on fire, we’re evacuating Sumner to either to Overton or to Eddyville. Do not go east towards Buffalo County.”
It has been reported from the Dawson County Emergency Manager that there are injuries from the current fire, however the extent of the injuries is unknown at this time.
“We are asking the public to please stay away from and around the fire area. Highway 40 has been closed near the Dawson and Buffalo county line,” Dawson County Emergency Manager stated.
Full Interview with Dawson County Emergency Manager:
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Multiple fire departments are currently working towards stopping a rapid fire near roads 763 and 447 Road south of Sumner. The fire has reached highway 40 and evacuations are in progress for Sumner residents according to radio traffic.
The Dawson County Emergency Management Agency is asking Sumner residents to evacuate to the west of Eddyville.
According the Sumner – Eddyville – Miller Public Schools Facebook page, “Overton High School is open for anyone that needs a place to go due to the fire.”
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Report from yesterday, (April 15, 2026) – Fire crews from across the area responded to a grass fire late Wednesday afternoon that burned an estimated 75 acres before being brought under control.
Miller Fire Chief Phillip Schroeder said crews were paged to the scene around 4:30 p.m., prompting a large mutual aid response. Departments from Eddyville, Sumner, Oconto, Overton and Amherst assisted Miller firefighters in battling the blaze.
Additional support came from Dawson County Emergency Management, along with aerial assistance from a plane based out of Broken Bow.
Schroeder said the fire ultimately burned approximately 75 acres. Crews were able to contain the fire, but a team remains on site to monitor for hotspots.
Firefighters are expected to continue monitoring the area over the next several days to ensure the fire does not rekindle.
