‘My house was in direct line’: Man thankful Seward County wildfire wasn’t worse

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Bill Kuhlman was watching the Huskers on Saturday when he was notified that his house was in danger.

He was at a tailgate at Memorial Stadium when he learned that a wildfire had sparked in Seward County.

“My house was in direct line of it,” he said.

The wildfire started when a camper caught fire while a driver was towing it on Interstate 80. 

The Seward County Sheriff’s Office said the camper was then abandoned – still on fire – on the side of the road.

The wind carried embers from the camper onto nearby fields.  

No houses or other structures were burned, but some fields were damaged.

“There’s some crops that got lost,” Kuhlman said. “I mean, crops will grow back; tress will grow back. But we didn’t lose any houses or structures. The fire companies did an amazing job. We’re so happy with those guys.” 

Kuhlman said the fire was still smoldering on Tuesday, but neighbors have been working nonstop.

“They’ve been putting out fires here and there and keeping a close eye on it,” he said. “We have great neighbors around here.’” 

Channel 8 is still waiting on an update from the sheriff’s office on whether it found the camper’s owner.