Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has issued a statewide burn ban in an effort to help reduce the potential for additional wildfires in the state.
Dry and windy conditions have caused the spread of significant fires in the central and western parts of the state. An emergency proclamation was issued earlier Friday activating the deployment of state resources to help combat fires, including the use of aircraft and personnel from the Nebraska National Guard.
The executive order prohibiting burning remains in effect until 11:59 PM on March 27. 
Nebraska State Fire Marshal Doug Hohbein added that any existing burn permit that has not been completed is null and void as well.
Much of the state is facing critical fire weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday, with wind gusts and low humidity levels present again. Gusts could reach up to 60 MPH and humidity levels could dip as low as 10 to 20 percent.
To see all updates in one place on the Road 203 fire near Halsey/Dunning and the fire south of Maxwell and Gothenburg, visit the story at this link that continues to be updated.
