Fire gets away from area farmer

Sidney Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass fire southeast of Lorenzo Tuesday afternoon when an attempted controlled burn got away from an area farmer.

Sidney Fire Chief Keith Stone said blaze, which burned approximately 60 acres, was started when small fire was set to burn off thistle and cheat grass. Stone said the fire burned out of the landowner's control, resulting in the call for SVFD response.

The call was received at 3:46 p.m. and SVFD responded with four fire fighting trucks and two tankers. The fire department cleared the scene a little after 5 p.m.

No burn permit had been obtained, and as the area is currently in a red flag status, meaning no open burning is allowed, no permit would have been issued. The no-burn status is due to recent dry, hot weather, which has left the country tinder dry.

Stone said as in Tuesday's instance, recent rains gave a false sense of security.

"The ground might be still be wet from the rain," Stone said, "but with a couple of hours of wind, the grass is very dry again."

According to Nebraska law, anyone wishing to perform a controlled or open burn must obtain a permit from their local fire department.