Firefighters continue to battle grassfire

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Story Created: Jul 24, 2012 at 11:48 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 24, 2012 at 12:27 PM CDT

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 says Monday's gusting winds helped the fire expand to the west and jump north across Highway 12 in one area.

The roughly 50,000 acre blaze was about 16 percent contained Monday evening.

So residents of the town of Sparks have been warned they may need to evacuate 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.
Governor Dave Heineman plans to visit the area to see the fire damage Tuesday.

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