Several departments team up near Crete to curb massive wildfire

CRETE, Neb. (KLKN) – A massive wildfire occurred near Crete on Thursday, causing law enforcement to close off at least a mile of Wittstruck Road between SW 86th and SW 100th streets.

Crews from Lincoln, Hallam, Wilbur, Bennett, Crete and the Southwest Rural Fire Department responded to the scene.

Officials told Channel 8 that one reason for the road closures was concern that the fire could spread and eventually cross into the area.

In other attempts to stop the spread, several tractors could also be seen in the area.

One resident told Channel 8 that the tractors would be used to disk the corn fields to stop the spread of the fire.

The same resident mentioned an incident two weeks ago where residents burned several dead trees, and she worried that Thursday’s fire was caused by residual burn from that period.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.