Evacuations underway due to large grass fires near North Platte
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A wildfire in west-central Nebraska sparked multiple evacuations Monday, officials said.
Lincoln and Custer counties are under emergency declarations, according to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.
The fire started north of North Platte, NEMA said, but the cause is unknown.
Around noon, the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency issued an evacuation order northwest of North Platte.
Near the Custer/Lincoln County lines. pic.twitter.com/P8BBfp83lE
— NSP Troop D (@NSP_TroopD) February 26, 2024
Later in the afternoon, the agency said the fire was spreading east and asked farmers north of Brady to turn on their pivots to fight the fire.
Highway 47, Brady Road and Maxwell Road are closed north of Highway 30, according to emergency management.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Logan County, the village of Stapleton was being evacuated due to another wildfire, the Nebraska State Patrol said.
Troopers are assisting with an evacuation of Stapleton due to another large wildfire. Please follow recommendations from local emergency management and keep clear of the area to allow fire crews to work safely. pic.twitter.com/8YnRXfnwXJ
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) February 26, 2024
The Salvation Army in North Platte is open for evacuees who need shelter.
NEMA said multiple volunteer fire departments are fighting the flames.
Gov. Jim Pillen has approved the use of state resources to battle the wildfire.
Two teams of state emergency responders have been deployed, according to NEMA, and two National Guard helicopters will drop water on the fire.
Most of Nebraska is under a red flag warning, meaning strong winds and warm temperatures are creating dangerous wildfire conditions.
Conditions are ripe for wildfires today. This one is currently north of North Platte. Please follow @lincoemgt for updates and evacuation recommendations for this particular fire and your local emergency management for others that may occur.
Please be careful and stay alert. pic.twitter.com/GoBPaATd2y
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) February 26, 2024
