Illegal Nebraska Burn Fanned By High Winds

WOOD RIVER, Neb. (AP) -- High winds fanned an illegal burn into mile-long grass fire Monday, sending clouds of smoke over Interstate 80 and summoning the help of at least five fire departments.

The Wood River Fire Department received a call about a grass fire at about 3:20 p.m. Shortly after arriving, Wood River called for help from the Grand Island Rural Fire Department, the St. Libory Fire Department, the Alda Fire Department and asked for a tanker and grass rig from the Doniphan Fire Department.

Crews were fighting the blaze into the early evening.

Wood River Fire Chief Roger Derr said dry conditions and high winds fueled the fire and thick underbrush and trees made it difficult for crews to get to the blaze.