GrayBull Club Saved from Wildfire, $100,000 Fundraiser Kickstarted to Support Local Volunteer Fire Department

March 5, 2024 – Lincoln, Nebraska – On Monday morning, February 26, a wildfire started outside of North Platte, Nebraska. The fire made its way toward GrayBull Club, a Dormie Network property in Maxwell, Nebraska, within two hours and has since burned over 71,000 acres. Wildfires, often fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, are a known challenge in the region, emphasizing the need for preparedness and quick response. Fast-acting team members were able to leverage innovative irrigation and mobile water trucks to control the fire and save the soon-to-be-complete club. A fundraiser has been kickstarted to support the local volunteer fire department to fight future wildfires in the region. 

In the midst of the wildfire threat at GrayBull Club, the property's unique underground decoder-based irrigation system played a crucial role in safeguarding the club. This system, designed as a preventive measure against such emergencies, enabled the effective control and mitigation of the fire, showcasing the foresight in GrayBull's infrastructure planning. This innovative approach was pivotal in protecting the course and minimizing damage during this critical event. Alongside the irrigation system, an onsite water truck utilized approximately 45,000 gallons of water to protect structures and put out hot spots. The quick-thinking and coordinated efforts of the GrayBull team were instrumental in safeguarding the club. This successful firefighting effort was a testament to the strong partnership between the GrayBull team and local community members, showcasing their united front in times of crisis. 

“We want to thank Michael Sheely, Director of Agronomy, the GrayBull team, and Ben Boehm, volunteer firefighter and Sampson Construction team member, for their prompt response to the wildfire,” said Zach Peed, President of Dormie Network. “Their swift actions protected GrayBull and prevented any injuries as a result." 

Although the fire burned around the course and all the way up to the edge of the fairways, the course remained untouched. An inspection has been done on all construction, facilities, and structures, but there has only been minimal damage to greens tarps, drainage pipes and construction materials. 

After 8 p.m. when GrayBull was safely secured, the team drove the water truck out to support the rest of the North Platte community and leveraged a water line close to the GrayBull entrance to fill volunteer fire trucks. Sheely and the team plan to host a water-fill training for the Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department. 

In an effort to fight future wildfires, a matching donation fundraiser has been kickstarted. All funds raised up to $100,000 will be matched by Dormie Network Foundation and will help with the purchase of another fire engine for and to expand the current facilities of the Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department. The community is invited to join this vital fundraising effort to equip volunteer firefighters with the resources they need to protect the Sandhills. Donations may be made here. 

Media Contact: Ashley Stahr, Dormie Network Marketing Director, ashley@dormienetwork.com. Images available here.