A rare Fire Warning was issued today, relayed by the National Weather Service in Omaha by request of the Stanton County Emergency Management Agency.
Strong northwesterly winds gusting over 60 MPH have prompted High Wind Warnings across much of the Northern Plains today as an Alberta Clipper rips through the Upper Midwest. High winds and dry conditions have led to an elevated fire danger across the region, and several fires have popped up over the course of the afternoon.
An especially large hot spot and smoke plume caught my eye on northeast Nebraska, plainly visible on regional satellite imagery. The fire crossed Highway 15, with numerous road closures in the immediate area as local fire crews and farmers work together to get the fire under control.
These fires can be really difficult to get under control as high winds blow embers upstream starting new fires before the first areas are contained. Ground Zero can be constantly on the move, as I observed when a field fire broke out near Ogden, Illinois in late October:
Here are a couple of news stories on the fire in northeast Nebraska from local news agencies:
https://www.wowt.com/2024/12/19/winds-kick-up-wildfire-shutting-down-section-rural-nebraska-highway/
The National Weather Service continues to warn of elevated fire risks through the evening:
4:20 PM UPDATE: Just noticed another hot spot and smoke plume erupting in central Nebraska. Looks like it's very close to Broken Bow in Custer County. Volatile situation continues on the Northern Plains!
