UPDATE: Combine sparks large grass fire in Lancaster County
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A large grass fire in eastern Lancaster County on Thursday added to the tally of blazes during a dry harvest season.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol and numerous rural fire departments were dispatched at 11:15 a.m. to the area of North 190th Street and Mill Road.
Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said at a press conference that the fire was started by a combine harvesting beans.
Houchin said 120 acres of grass, beans and corn stalks were burned in the fire.
The combine is a total loss, but no structures were damaged and nobody was injured, according to Houchin.
Highway 6 was shut down from 148th street to Greenwood for about 45 minutes but has since been reopened.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE – Several rural fire agencies are battling a large grass fire in northeast Lancaster County.
The fire was called in around 11:10 a.m. near North 190th Street and Mill Road, just northeast of Waverly.
⚠️ First Responders are responding to a large wildfire that started in a field near Highway 6 and 148th to the Lancaster County Line. Residents in that immediate area should be prepared to evacuate if necessary and continue to be on the lookout for more details.… pic.twitter.com/SLhwiNq9XS
— Lancaster County Sheriff (@LSOnebraska) October 17, 2024
Crews from Waverly, Eagle, Greenwood, Ashland, Raymond, Southeast Rural and Malcolm responded to the scene.
Greenwood was under a shelter-in-place order, according to the Cass County Emergency Management Agency.
Highway 6 was closed in the Greenwood area due to the fire.
In an update around 12:50 p.m., the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said the fire is being contained and Highway 6 was reopened.
People are asked to use caution when returning to the area.
It’s unknown what sparked the blaze.
Large grass ire in the area of 190th and Mill Road. Avoid the area and be aware of multiple responding units, tractors and low visibility.
— Lincoln-Lancaster Emergency Mngmt. (@LancasterCoEMA) October 17, 2024
