UPDATE: Evacuation order issued as departments battle wildfire in Gosper, Furnas Counties

FURNAS COUNTY, Neb. (KNOP) - The town of Edison in Furnas County, rural areas south of Edison and the Stamford area were placed under an evacuation order as a large fire that began in Gosper county continued to spread Thursday evening.

The Nebraska State Patrol, area Sheriff’s Departments, and Emergency Management were assisting with the evacuation.

While responding to the fire, State Troopers also were called to investigate a fatality crash on Highway 283, North of Arapahoe. That crash occurred at approximately 5:10pm. Details of what caused the crash or what type of vehicles were involved weren’t immediately available.

Area firefighters from across the region battled an enormous wildfire much of the day Thursday, about six miles north of Arapahoe and nine miles south of Elwood in Gosper County.

At one point Thursday, the fire reached three-miles wide, threatening rural homes.

Region 17 Emergency Manager Roger Powell said 25 departments were working together in high wind conditions to contain the blaze. The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m., Thursday.

The fire is said to have started near the intersection of Highway 18 and 283, and is moving south of Highway 18 and 283.

According to Nebraska 511, Highway 283 is closed between Road 728, and travel in that area is highly discouraged. News 2 has reports of families evacuating their rural homes in the area.

The Village of Elwood is asking for donations for the volunteers fighting the fires, including water, fruit, vegetables, and sandwiches.

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