Bernie & the South Fork Fire — Great American Rail-Trail Update

Bernie Krausse has been working west through Nebraska's Panhandle this week, up into the Pine Ridge, with the Wyoming line not far off. He's about ten weeks into what we believe is the first known thru-hike of the Great American Rail-Trail, having started at the Capitol Reflecting Pool on March 28.

There's a wildfire on the route ahead of him.

The South Fork Fire started yesterday evening from dry lightning, in the country between Crawford and Harrison near the Soldier Creek Wilderness. As of this morning, it's exploded to around 8,000 acres, zero percent contained, and it has crossed Highway 20 — the corridor Bernie's route follows through this stretch. The road is closed in both directions. Forest Service crews and the Nebraska National Guard are working it, and there are evacuation orders for the Smiley Canyon area.

Bernie was due to reach that area tomorrow.

We'll send an update when there's something new to report. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the firefighters and the families who've had to leave their homes.

— John.