Dry conditions, above-average temperatures, and strong winds are a recipe for disaster when it comes to pastureland, and on Monday, Feb. 26, central Nebraska was reminded of that all too clearly.

The first warning to the public was issued by Lincoln County at 11:24 a.m. on Monday urging residents along Rolling Hills Road north of North Platte to be prepared to evacuate due to a large grass fire. Approximately 30 minutes later Lincoln County issued an evacuation notice for the area north of North Platte to Maxwell. The Salvation Army in North Platte was opened for those impacted by the evacuation.

As the winds continued to fuel the raging fire the flames made their way east-northeast, moving quickly and showing no signs of slowing down. At 2:46 p.m. residents north of Brady and Gothenburg were ordered to evacuate. Volunteer fire crews from every corner of Dawson, Custer, and Logan counties and beyond responded to the call for help. Farmers in the path of the fire were asked to turn on their pivots.

Villages like Callaway who appeared to be in the line of sight of the massive fire were on high alert, and all available firefighters and trucks with the Callaway department were deployed. By 3 p.m. Highway 47 between the junction with Highway 40 south to Gothenburg was closed.

Smoke filled the air all the way from North Platte east to Grand Island, and just as far to the north. Residents in the Stapleton and Gandy areas were also ordered to evacuate as the fire continued to spread.

As crews battled the fire throughout the night on Monday, they were able to get the fire under control. On Tuesday many departments remained on scene and on standby.

According to sources, the fire was stopped just east of Highway 47 between Gothenburg and Arnold. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, reports came in of another fire near Stapleton on Monday afternoon.

Preliminary reports indicate that some farm structures and livestock were lost in that fire.

As of press time, full details including the total loss and damage from the fires, were still unknown. Gov. Jim Pillen approved a state disaster request on Monday, which frees up state emergency funds to assist in fighting the fires.

April Tickle, a member of the Arnold Volunteer Fire Department, shared this photo of fellow firefighters silhouetted against the flames by the night sky. The fire was on the west side of Highway 47 between Gothenburg and Arnold. Tickle also shared the photo that appears in the basement box on the front page.