RUSHVILLE, Neb. - Lightning sparked a fire north of Rushville Wednesday night, according to Jerry Kearns with the Rushville Fire Department. The fire on the Forney Ranch burned around 45 acres before Rushville firefighters managed to bring it under control Thursday afternoon.

Rushville area fire, Courtesy: Jerry Kearns
Rushville area fire, Courtesy: Jerry Kearns  

 

Kearns said a neighbor first noticed the smoke, and a spotter plane caught an image of the fire from the air.

Spotter plane picture, Courtesy: Jerry Kearns
Spotter plane picture, Courtesy: Jerry Kearns  

 

“The spotter plane can be a big help. It covers quite a few towns, including Gordon, Rushville, Crawford and Chadron,” Kearns said.

This marks the second fire Rushville firefighters responded to within 24 hours. As News Channel Nebraska reported on Wednesday, a downed power line ignited a fire north-east of Gordon, burning around 100 acres.

Rushville area fire, Courtesy: Jerry Kearns
Rushville area fire, Courtesy: Jerry Kearns