Firefighters continue working to contain a massive wildfire in north-central Nebraska, but the blaze is now threatening a second small town near the Niobrara River.
Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala said Monday's gusting winds helped the fire expand to the west and jump north across Highway 12 in one area. The roughly 57,000-acre blaze was about 16 percent contained Monday evening.
So residents of the town of Sparks have been warned they may need to evacuate on Tuesday if the fire continues on its current path.
The fire already destroyed about 10 homes - mostly in Norden - but much of the area burning is rugged forested land around the river.
Gov. Dave Heineman visited the area to see the fire damage on Tuesday.
Tuesday night, family and friends began collecting donations at the Hy-Vee store at 144th and Stony Brook Blvd. They're asking for paper towels, toilet paper, beef jerky, lip balm, soda, bug spray, sunscreen, peanuts, trail mix and dried fruit.
The supplies will be delivered to the more than 200 firefighters on Wednesday.
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