MCGREW, NE - Multiple resources have deployed to the Hubbard Gap Fire in the Wildcat Hills south of McGrew, Nebraska.

The fire, in several canyons, is estimated at about 4,000 acres and had threatened farmstead, ranches and other agriculture properties, according to a news release from Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

According to NEMA, six firefighters were injured in the fire. Four firefighters were treated and released and two were hospitalized overnight. Officials say one barn was lost on Thursday, but no other losses of structures were immediately known.

The fire started south of McGrew Thursday afternoon and crews battled it throughout the night and continue to fight on Friday morning. Fire officials have said they believe they will have the fire wrapped up sometime on Friday. 

The Banner County commissioners declared a local emergency and Gov. Pete Ricketts has approved a state emergency declaration which allows state funds to be used to fight the fire.

Officials say about 25 local fire departments have been called up to battle the flames, but they're not alone.

Region 22 Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Newman says support from aircraft have been instrumental in providing increased firefighting capacity on the fire.

NEMA officials say planes from Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado have flown a total of 17 sorties over the fire. 

NEMA has deployed members of the Incident Management Assistance Team to the scene to support the local response. Tim Grubbs of Banner County is serving as Incident commander. NEMA also worked with the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center, an interstate compact, to get the additional air resources to the scene.

Other resources at the fire include the Wildland Incident Response Assistance Team (WIRAT) from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, which deployed to the scene on Thursday to provide assistance and support to the local first responders. The team is highly trained in incident command and assists in working large incidents, coordinating water supplies and area supplies.

The Nebraska Forest Service, which manages multiple SEAT bases in Nebraska, opened the Scottsbluff SEAT Base so aircraft can pick up retardant loads at the base nearest the fire. In addition, NFS crews moved additional fire retardant resources to the Scottsbluff base.

Region 21 Emergency Manager, Ron Leal has deployed to the fire to work with incident command and provide incident leadership.

Firefighter Ministries has worked to provide meals for the firefighters who are responding.

Two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and 11 soldiers (two crews and a maintenance team) are on their way to Banner County to continue air support. The helicopters are equipped with 780-gallon water buckets.