Wildfires keep area departments busy Friday
SIDNEY - The Nebraska Panhandle and northeast Colorado experienced dangerous fire weather conditions Friday.
The region was placed in a red flag warning Friday due to record-setting heat, and dry and windy conditions. In addition, severe thunderstorms created cloud-to-ground lightning, which is blamed for at least one wildfire south of Sunol. The warnings lasted until midnight.
The Sidney Fire Department said they responded to seven fire calls from 3:40 p.m. until 10:11 p.m. All units were back at the department at 2 a.m. Saturday.
The Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department responded to three grass fire calls, including providing assistance to a fire near Elsie.
Scotts Bluff County Emergency Manager, Tim Newman told News Channel Nebraska there were nine fire calls in his service county.