Hay fire sends up dense smoke in Seward County

UPDATE, 7:50 a.m. — Fire officials on scene tell Channel 8 that they have not needed to evacuate anyone due to Thursday morning’s hay fire.

They’ve also made considerable progress since it was first reported around 2 a.m.

Five volunteer fire departments helped battle the blaze, and now some units are returning to their stations.

Some crews expect to remain in the area around 364th and Branched Oak Roads for a couple more hours to monitor hot spots.

They’re still investigating what caused this.

So far, there are no reported injuries to any people or cattle.

There is no ongoing danger, and main roads are not affected, authorities said.

UPDATE, 7:20 a.m. — Our Channel 8 photographer just sent back a picture from the affected area.

You can see a long line of emergency vehicles that quickly disappears into thick smoke created by the hay fire.

We’ve seen at least seven vehicles so far, and there’s no telling how many have gone deeper into the blinding conditions.

Authorities have not said if anyone has been injured or what the current status of the fire is.

One person replying to the sheriff office’s social media post said she was praying “for the farmer and fire fighters that have been out all night.”

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Seward County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to use extra caution Thursday morning.

It’s received multiple reports of dense fog and smoke created by a hay fire.

Officials say it’s burning west of Staplehurst, just north of Seward.

They say this is impacting the whole west side of the county.

Drivers will also want to watch out for emergency vehicles throughout the area.

Channel 8 has a crew on the way right now.

Stay with us for the latest on this developing story.