DONIPHAN, Neb. - A grass fire broke out near the west exit of Grand Island along Interstate 80 on Wednesday afternoon, creating flames and smoke visible from miles away and prompting a multi-agency response. 

According to our news partners KSNB Local 4, the Nebraska State Patrol said the fire started during a CS gas disposal by the bomb squad, when one of the canisters sparked a fire. 

The patrol said the gas was turned over to them, and dated back to the 1950s. 

Initial reports say the fire stretched between 100 and 200 yards wide. Crews reported the fire grew substantially in a short amount of time, fueled by windy conditions.

The initial call came in around 12:45 p.m. to the Doniphan Fire Department for a fire in a ditch south of I-80 near mile marker 311. Within 10 minutes, additional help was requested from the Grand Island Rural Fire Department as the fire rapidly expanded.

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours working to contain and extinguish the flames. The Nebraska State Patrol deployed a drone to help assess the fire’s size and movement and to assist with location sharing. A plane was later called in to help slow the blaze from the air.

As of 5:30 p.m., smoke was still visible smoldering in the area, according to a Nebraska 511 traffic camera looking southwest from Exit 312 on I-80.

Officials have not yet released any information about possible injuries, the scope of the damage or the cause of the fire.