A red flag warning has been issued for the state of Nebraska for dangerous wildfire conditions, and state agencies are reminding residents to stay cognizant.
Extremely dry climates combined with potential record high temperatures and high winds create the perfect-storm for a blaze, according to Lancaster County Emergency Management. Director Jim Davidsaver said the red flag warning — the highest categorization for the fire threat — began at 10:00 a.m. this morning and will persist through 06:00 p.m.
“Unfortunately, all of the variables for a significant fire are in play,” said Davidsaver. “We want to make sure that everybody is aware of that and doing everything they can to minimize that a fire may start.”
Davidsaver says residents should engage in absolutely no open burning, whether it be gas or basic charcoal grilling. While were ahead of mowing season, he also cautions people from doing any yard work involving power equipment, “Anything that may create a spark, you really want to save that for another day.”
Other precautionary measures include properly extinguishing cigarettes/smokables. Vehicles can present numerous risks of staring wildfires, so avoid driving or parking on dry grass or brush as hot pipes can start fires, make sure your car has no dangling metal parts, and make sure your tires have air and your break pads aren’t worn thin — as neglect of either could create sparks.
If wildfires do break out, Davidsaver says their department is standing by and ready to respond across the county.
“We’ve got a very robust fire response system throughout Lancaster county, not just with Lincoln Fire and Rescue, but with the 17 other Volunteer Fire Departments covering all most of Lancaster County. We have the necessary resources to contain and control a fire if it breaks out,” he added. “We hope we don’t have a fire, but if one does start anywhere in the county, response units will hopefully be on scene within a matter of a few minutes.”
If you do see something, such as a flame or plume of smoke, contact 911.
Just after 12:00 p.m. today, Nebraska Region 51 Emergency Management issued an evacuation notice to residents north of North Platte, living near the area of Rolling Hills Road and N. Maxwell Road due to a large grass fire. The Salvation Army is assisting evacuees as needed.
Below is a photo of smoke in the area, posted by Nebraska State Patrol Troop D.
— NSP Troop D (@NSP_TroopD) February 26, 2024