KEARNEY, Neb. — People in and around Kearney won’t be able to obtain burn permits until the area sees some rain.

On Tuesday, the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department issued a burning ban that will be in effect until the city receives measurable moisture. Fire Chief Jeremy Feusner is also discouraging people from burning in burn barrels during the ban.

Feusner said in a news release that the decision was made in an effort to protect lives and property. He says warmer conditions, wind and a low relative humidity have caused vegetation to dry quickly. Those conditions contributed to a rash of wildfires across Nebraska on Sunday. Separate fires in the southeast and northeast parts of the state prompted evacuation orders and a fire near Guide Rock burned more than 10,000 acres.

There is always a statewide open burning ban on all bonfires, outdoor rubbish fires, and fires for the purpose of clearing land, however, a permit can be obtained from the local fire chief on a form prescribed by the State of Nebraska.