KEYSTONE, Neb. — The Keystone-Lemoyne Fire Department responded to a flurry of emergency calls over the Fourth of July holiday weekend at Lake McConaughy, ranging from fireworks-related fires to medical emergencies involving falling tents and intoxicated individuals.
The department began its weekend response on July 3 at 9:07 p.m. with a grass fire near North Shore Lodge sparked by fireworks. Fire crews used Type 6 and Type 4 engines to quickly extinguish the blaze.
On Independence Day, crews were called to Admirals Cove at 9:35 p.m. for a dumpster fire. Just over an hour later, at 10:45 p.m., firefighters and EMS responded to Beach Access #8, where a woman was struck in the head by a flying tent.
July 5 saw a lighter day of emergencies but included an annual community event — the KLFD Sand Volleyball Tournament at Arthur Bay, running from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Later that day, responders assisted a man with a knee injury at the Arthur Bay Boat Ramp at 5:15 p.m.
At 7:35 p.m., a possible injury accident was reported after a driver left a cell phone on the roof of a vehicle, leading to a false 911 report when the phone dropped and auto-triggered an emergency alert.
On July 6, calls continued. At 1:45 a.m., KLFD assisted Keith County EMS with a 46-year-old woman who suffered a head injury after falling while intoxicated at McGinley’s 1 area. That afternoon, at 3:21 p.m., the department again assisted EMS near North Shore Lodge after a man experienced difficulty breathing.
The fire department’s Facebook log highlighted both the hazards and hectic nature of the holiday at the popular western Nebraska lake destination, where thousands of visitors gather annually to celebrate Independence Day.