Gov. Pillen issues two executive orders, proclamation regarding wildfires in western Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday issued a series of documents to address the wildfires that have burned across western Nebraska.

As of Thursday, four of the largest wildfires in the state have collectively burned more than 800,000 acres.

SEE ALSO: Wildfires break out in western Nebraska

A new proclamation declares emergencies in counties associated with the following fires:

• Morrill
• Cottonwood
• Anderson Bridge

The Road 203 Fire — impacting Blaine and Thomas counties — was managed by federal employees and was not included in the newest proclamation for state resources, the governor said.

In addition to the proclamation, Pillen also issued two executive orders.

The first one (26-08) continues the timeframe by which fire chiefs or their designated members are prohibited from issuing permits for open burning anywhere in the state.

This order is effective March 28 through April 10. The prior burn ban was set to expire on March 27.

The second executive order (26-09) waives hours-of-service restrictions. It adjusts maximum load width/weight limits for commercial motor carriers operating within the state and delivering feed and other supplies under the ongoing wildfire emergency. That new order is also effective March 28.

On Thursday morning, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the latest reported fires in Grant County.

As with the Morrill and Cottonwood fires, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team is providing operational management of those wildfires under the direction of the state and Pillen.

You can find the full proclamation and executive orders below: