JOHNSTOWN, Neb. - A flight equipped with digital mapping technology has provided a more accurate estimate of the wildfire burning near Johnstown, according to Erv Portis with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

Portis discussed the flight during a news conference Wednesday alongside Governor Jim Pillen.

“The fire, we’re estimating just under 10,000 acres,” Portis initially said. However, later in the briefing, he revised that figure to approximately 7,000 acres.

Portis noted the difficulty of determining fire size in rugged terrain without the aid of aerial technology.

“When you’re working that topography on the ground, you’re estimating,” he said. “It’s incredibly challenging topography. It’s deep ravines, canyons.”

Regardless of the size, officials confirmed the fire remains zero percent contained.

Over the past three days, roughly 50 volunteer fire departments have joined the effort, alongside two Bureau of Indian Affairs planes and two Blackhawk helicopters. On Wednesday, Governor Pillen authorized the Nebraska National Guard to mobilize 29 soldiers and airmen to assist in the response.