Plum Creek fire closer to fully contained
Fire officials estimated they had the wildfire at about 70% containment
By News Channel NebraskaJOHNSTOWN - Fire officials are reporting progress on getting the Plum Creek fire under control.
Brown County Emergency Management confirmed to News Channel Nebraska that the wildfire near Johnstown is now 70 percent contained.
The weather has improved substantially, with lower winds, and even some much-needed rain, which helped crews from dozens of fire departments around Nebraska.
Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopters are expected to make more drops on hot spots Friday before departing back to their home base in Norfolk. Many of the other fire departments and outside agencies were expected to be sent home by this weekend.
Emergency officials say while they're made great progress, they're not out of the woods yet. Winds this weekend are expected to gust between 30 and 40 miles per hour, and forecasters say there is the possibility of lightning in the region on Sunday.
The fire, which began as a controlled burn on Monday, has now scorched over 7,000 acres.
It prompted Governor Jim Pillen to institute a statewide burn ban through April 30th.