Wildfires break out across eastern Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - With the latest drought report showing dry conditions persist across the state, several Nebraska crews were battling wildfires on Thursday.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect for several Nebraska counties. Compounding the fire dangers, farmers are out with a lot of heavy equipment as they work to harvest their crops in the dry conditions. According to KTIV reports, fire departments across northeast Nebraska were urging farmers to stop harvesting until winds subside.

Fires ignited in several locations in eastern Nebraska throughout the day Thursday.

Sarpy County: Just before 6 p.m., Sarpy County officials reported a brush fire that prompted 96th Street to shut down between Hardwood Drive and Capehart Road.

Beatrice: Around 5 p.m., Gage County authorities said a large grass fire was threatening an NPPD power plant near Beatrice. Around 100 workers from NPPD’s Beatrice Power Station were evacuated as a precaution; the nearby hospital was not affected.

Several farmers started their pivots to help contain the fire. Though the fire was contained, firefighters were planning to continue managing hot spots into the evening.

Dixon County: Crews were also fighting several fires across northeast Nebraska at about 5 p.m. A significant field fire was reported in Dixon County.

Kenesaw: About that same time in eastern Kearney County, firefighters were also called to a rural fire about eight miles northwest of Kenesaw, and authorities were calling in crop dusters to help fight the fire. National Weather Service satellite imagery showed a smoke plume extending north into Buffalo and Hall counties, and a Local4 reporter said smoke was visible in Shelton.

Wymore: At about 2:30 p.m., local fire departments from Nebraska and Kansas were fighting a grass fire along Highway 77 near Wymore.

Butler County: At about 4:15 p.m., crews were fighting a large and dangerous wildfire in Butler County near Garrison and David City. A stretch of Highway 92 south of David City was shut down for a few hours while crews worked to control the blaze.

Greenwood: Just after 11 a.m., multiple fire departments responded to a fire southwest of Greenwood. Officials later determined that the fire had been sparked by farm equipment.

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