From High Voltage to High Stakes

When a roadside brush fire threatened to spread, IES Nebraska team members didn’t hesitate to take action. Read how their quick thinking and bravery helped prevent disaster—proving that IES commitment to safety extends beyond the job site.

Even after a winter storm swept across Nebraska from the panhandle to the Missouri River, most regions have yet to receive enough consistent precipitation to ease drying conditions. According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, as of February 2025, 91% of the state is under moderate drought, while conditions worsen in northern regions where 48% of the land is experiencing severe or extreme drought. As conditions intensify, particularly in rural areas where dry vegetation is prevalent, the risk of brush and wildfires increases significantly.

At IES Nebraska, members are no stranger to handling high-voltage situations, but sometimes the unexpected calls for a different kind of quick thinking. While traveling from Trent to Hawarden, Drake Ditsworth and Simon Gurney noticed dense smoke and flickering flames in a roadside ditch, a telltale sign of a brush fire. Recognizing the potential danger, they safely pulled over, activated their hazard lights, and got to work controlling the flames until the local fire department arrived. Their commendable bravery, fast action, and commitment to safety helped prevent the fire from spreading, proving that IES team members go beyond the call of duty—not just on the job site but in our communities!

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