Wildfires burn north of McCook

MCCOOK, Neb. --Two different wildfires burned near each other in southwest Nebraska Wednesday, with one still active Thursday morning.

The Red Willow County Sheriff's Office said the fires were burning along Highway 83 near Hugh Butler Lake. 

Multiple fire departments reported to the scene, authorities said. It is unclear what started the blaze or how much acreage has burned so far. 

Fire officials said the first blaze, the Road 383 fire, started near a cabin on the southwest end of the Lake. 

Crews were able to get that blaze under control, but not before it destroyed a small structure and damaged other cabins. 

The second fire started farther south along Road 723. Fire crews said that blaze started in a ditch and quickly spread across wheat stubble and dry pasture.

Mutual aid was called in from ten different departments, as was air support from Valentine.  

Officials continue to urge residents to avoid the area.