Photo: Photo courtesy of Ann Moylan Fiara with the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department.
A controlled burn that turned into a wildfire has now burned more than 24,000 acres in North Central Nebraska.
Local fire crews are now getting state and federal help to get the Plum Creek Fire near Johnstown under control.
The fire is burning through steep canyons and timber between Valentine and Ainsworth.
Thirty fire departments and four strike teams are fighting the fire on the ground, along with two Blackhawk helicopters and two planes in the air.
As of now, the Plum Creek Fire has scorched an estimated 12,000-14,000 acres and is 30% contained.
No homes have been lost but several dozen head of cattle have been killed.