Fire weather watches issued across the state

VALLEY, Neb. -- It could be a busy couple of days for rural fire departments across Nebraska.

The National Weather Service has issued fire weather watches in 50 different counties across the state through Friday evening.

Forecasters say there is the potential for wind gusts between 40 and 50 miles per hour over the next couple of days.

That, combined with warmer temperatures and the ongoing lack of moisture, means any fire that ignites could spread rapidly.

Despite some precipitation this week, the latest drought monitor map showed that almost 95 percent of the state is experiencing at least minor drought conditions.

Knox, Cedar, Thurston, Antelope, Pierce, Wayne, Boone, Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Burt, Platte, Colfax, Dodge, Washington, Butler, Saunders, Douglas, Sarpy, Seward, Lancaster, Cass, Saline, Jefferson, Gage, Valley, Greeley, Nance, Sherman, Howard, Merrick, Polk, Dawson, Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, York, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Harlan, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls and Thayer Counties are all affected by the weather watches.