      Firefighters made excellent progress Tuesday against the 71,022-acre Betty’s Way Fire, burning since 10:30 Monday morning in the rural southern Sandhills northeast of North Platte.
      Fire managers reported Tuesday afternoon that as of 4:00, the fire was 72% contained and that all evacuation orders issued on Monday had ended, adding that they are continuously assessing the work performed and updating the containment estimate.
No injuries have been reported from the wind-blown wildfire, but one primary residence and numerous outbuildings have been destroyed with a second residence and other outbuildings damaged.
. . The Nebraska State Fire Marshal has determined that the Betty’s Way Fire was human-caused, resulting from mowing operations. It began about 9-miles northeast of North Platte, but 40-mph winds quickly drove it east into Dawson and Custer counties
The Custer and Lincoln County Commissioners declared emergencies Monday afternoon and Gov Jim Pillen followed with a state disaster declaration, opening the way for additional support from state agencies and use of the governor’s disaster funds.
        Crews from at least 15 volunteer fire departments have been battling the blaze along with state agencies and 2 Nebraska National Guard Blackhawk helicopters that began making water drops Tuesday morning.
     The state Incident Management Team and Wildland Incident Response Assistance Team were deployed at the request of the counties and began working with local leaders and fire managers Tuesday morning.Â
Fire managers said they are working with ranchers, farmers and residents in the burned or threatened areas to address any unmet needs, and are also actively working with the American Red Cross and state agencies to aid those affected by the fire.