By Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nebraska Game and Parks has temporarily closed Fort Robinson State Park and Peterson Wildlife Management Area in Dawes and Sioux counties as the South Fork Fire burns in the area.
The wildfire, which started in the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area of the Nebraska National Forest, Pine Ridge Ranger District on June 9, is 5% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Park staff are currently evacuating guests visiting Fort Robinson. The park and the WMA will remain closed until further notice to support firefighting operations and protect public safety.
Game and Parks staff has reached out directly to those with immediate reservations at Fort Robinson to discuss available options for transfers or refunds. Those with future reservations may email the park at ngpc.fort.robinson@nebraska.gov with their name, phone number and reservation number for assistance with reservation changes as applicable. Due to a high volume of inquiries, responses may be delayed.
People should direct all other park-related inquiries to Game and Parks' headquarters at 402-471-0641.
Highway 20 between Crawford and Harrison remains closed. People should avoid the wildfire area and not enter active fire zones or closed areas as emergency responders actively manage the fire. Game and Parks strongly discourages recreational viewing of burned areas.
Stay up-to-date with current wildfire conditions by visiting InciWeb.Wildfire.gov and clicking South Fork Fire. Extreme drought continues to grip the Panhandle, creating heightened wildfire risk across the region.