Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The wildfire that began 8.6 miles northeast of North Platte on Monday morning continued to burn as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Betty’s Way Fire has consumed 71,022 acres, according to a press release from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, with the hopes of some containment later on Tuesday.
With winds over 40 mph the fire continues to spread east, and evacuations have been issued.
According to Emergency Management Region 22 (Scottsbluff and Banner counties), local departments have responded to the mutual aid request by taking firemen and trucks. The departments responding include Gering, Banner County, Morrill, Minatare, Scotts Bluff Rural and City, Bayard, Alliance, Gordon, Chadron, Crawford and Bridgeport.
The Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska National Guard are providing aerial support and drone observation.
The cause has been determined to be human- the result of a mowing operations.
Gov. Jim Pillen has declared an emergency disaster.