PAGE, Neb. -- A prairie fire broke out north of Page Sunday afternoon.

Just after 3:00 p.m. Sunday, authorities were called to a fire near Page. 

Page Fire Chief Rod Isom said that the fire was in the Verdigre district, crossing into the Page district at some points. 

Isom said that fire crews from Page, O'Neill, Ewing, Orchard, Royal, Brunswick, Verdigre, Niobrara, Lynch, Creighton, Neligh, Atkinson, and a couple from Stuart, along with many others had all responded to the fire. 

He also said that at least one airplane was helping fight the fire by dropping water.

Isom said that 13 departments helped contain the fire. Many stations left after the fire was contained with a few observing the location over night. 

Witnesses in the area said that they had seen flames approximately 28 miles away from O'Neill. 

A witness also said that the fire came up fairly quickly.

Authorities said the fire has covered several miles since they got the call, with it nearly reaching Verdigre Road east of the county shed. 

Page authorities told NCN that there were several farmers with discs trying to get ahead of the fire to create a stopping point. It was also noted that many roads don't go through the affected area, causing trouble in getting to the fire. 

As of 8:00 p.m., firefighters had the fire contained. According to Isom, the fire burned approximately 5,000 acres with it running through irrigated fields.

According to Isom, the fire spanned three miles in width from east to west and six miles from south to north. He said they were fighting the fire in one and a half mile wide areas. 

Verdigre Fire Department Fire Chief Jeff Bartling said that the fire was fully contained, but they were mopping up the fire around 2:00 p.m. Monday. 

Isom said that Nebraska Forestry Service was called in to help with clean-up Monday morning. 

Isom said that there is not a known cause of fire at the time, but contributing factors were the dryness and high winds. He said that Verdigre was requesting that the Fire Marshal investigate the fire. 

According to Isom, there was at least one structure that received damage, either a cabin or camper, a couple irrigation tires, and a lot of trees as well as the ground. 

Numerous farmers with tractors were there helping, and Isom said, "there was excellent community support by people bringing water for drinking and sandwiches and food."

Isom said that Wilbur-Ellis Co., Central Valley Ag, Ag Services, and farmers were all there providing water, and Farmers Pride was providing fuel.

Bartling said that the cause of the fire was accidental. 

Bartling said that Monday there were additional fire departments that helped at the location of the fire Valentine, Long Pine, Keya Paha, and Bassett. He said that the Forestry Service was there as well.