A fire in southern Nebraska that forced the evacuation of the community of Edison is still reported at 30,000 acres and 0% restriction. Photographs from the fire that hit Gosper and Fournas counties showed cloudy skies and dark gray clouds, and National Weather Service (NWS) stations in the state warned of drought and wind. Jodie Fawl, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, said 40 firefighters from across the area responded to fight the blaze. DOLLY PARTON CALLS FOR PRAYER AS TENNIS FIRE THREATENS AREA NEAR DOLLYWOOD The Nebraska National Guard also sent two Black Hawk helicopters to drop water on the flames, which it said jumped into the Republican River. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said the fire broke out when strong winds hit a dead tree on a power line. According to Fox Weather, several major wildfires have already caused evacuations in the Central Plains, including Nebraska and Oklahoma. While the evacuation order in Edison has been lifted since then, the Nebraska State Patrol reported that a crash during the fire on Thursday claimed the life of 54-year-old Elwood Fire Chief Darren Krul and injured its director. . “Our hearts go out to all those involved in this tragic accident, as well as to those affected by the fire. Keep Leader’s family, friends and community in your thoughts. Also keep Justin Norris in your thoughts as well. “He continues to suffer,” the agency wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. “The reaction to the fire remains active today. “Stay away from the area while many crews continue to work.” “Susan and I are praying for the Elwood community as they mourn the loss of Elwood’s Volunteer Fire Chief Darren Krul,” Nebraska Gov. Pete Rickets wrote on Twitter in response to the news. “Leader Krul died while serving his community while on duty. He is a true hero.” NEBRASKA REP. JEF FORTENBERRY RESIGNED AFTER CONVICTION TO LIE TO FBI A statement from the Nebraska State Patrol said the crash occurred at about 5:10 p.m. local time, when the Ford Expedition Norris and Krull were inside, “a truck carrying water hit the front” on Highway 283. Norris, 40, was taken to Cambridge Hospital with life-threatening injuries before being taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and later to Omaha Hospital. At the time of the statement he was in a stable condition. The driver of the truck, 28-year-old Andries Van Aswegan, was not injured in the collision. “Fire and smoke in the area had created zero visibility on the road at the time of the crash,” authorities said. According to KMTV, the governor issued a state of emergency, allowing the use of state resources. Several residential and commercial buildings have been destroyed, according to the Forest Service. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Schools in the area canceled classes on Friday. The American Red Cross has set up a response team at the Arapahoe Center for the Elderly. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
