‘It doesn’t take much of a spark’: Nebraska fire departments warn of fall wildfires

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Local fire departments are asking people to be cautious as fall conditions could help spark wildfires. 

Heat, drought and wind combined could lead to wildfires in Nebraska, especially in areas close to crop fields.

As harvest approaches, dry crops can easily ignite and blow away, said Tim Norris with Bennet Fire and Rescue.

“It doesn’t take much of a spark from someone throwing a cigarette out the road or for someone being careless with a campfire or anything else,” Norris said.

The Nebraska Forest Service said human error causes over 90% of Nebraska’s wildfires.  

Last year was the second-worst fire season in Nebraska’s recorded history. 

And, as wildfires become more common here in Nebraska and across the U.S., the long-lasting effects from inhaling smoke are also a concern.

“Two weeks of high wildfire smoke can result in one year of life lost,” said Tyler Knowlton with AccuWeather.  

When reporting a grass fire, you should tell dispatchers if there are any buildings in danger of if there is any standing crop.

Officials said this helps identify the intensity of a fire.