SCOTTSBLUFF - Firefighters battled a large grass fire that destroyed outbuildings near Scottsbluff Thursday night. 

Departments from Scotts Bluff Rural, Gering, Scottsbluff, Minatare-Melbeta, Mitchell, Morrill, Lyman, Kiowa, Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Bayard, Bridgeport, Torrington and Alliance responded to the blaze on West Overland at approximately 9:30 p.m.

The Star-Herald reports the fire started at a ranch west of Kolt Lane and spread to adjacent lands. Residents north of West Overland and South Beltline Highway were advised by emergency alerts to prepare to evacuate. However, no evacuations were forced.

Animals from the nearby Riverside Discovery Center were evacuated and sheltered at Panhandle Humane Society.

Highway 92 and Oregon Trail road were closed just before 12:30 a.m. Traffic was also blocked at Ave. V and West Overland, Highway 92 and South Beltline West, and Highway 92 and West 20th Street.