Wildfire near North Platte has burned over 71,000 acres, state officials say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A home and numerous outbuildings have been destroyed in a wildfire in west-central Nebraska.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire had burned 71,022 acres in Lincoln and Custer counties, according to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

NEMA said the blaze is about 70% contained.

No injuries have been reported.

The fire was reported around 10:30 a.m. Monday by a person living about 8 miles northeast of North Platte.

Within 12 minutes, the North Platte Fire Department responded to the wildfire, also known as the Betty’s Way Fire.

Later on, 15 nearby volunteer fire departments were called in to help.

Due to high temperatures and strong winds, the fire spread “rapidly” to the east, and people were ordered to evacuate, officials said.

Gov. Jim Pillen then declared an emergency, which provided support from state agencies, like the Nebraska National Guard.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency determined that the fire was caused by a lawnmower.