Graph: UNL drought monitor March 28

NEBRASKA CITY - Drought conditions have improved in Nebraska since the start of the year with exceptional drought acres dropping from 10 to 5 percent, but extreme drought percentages are on the rise and the entire state is at least abnormally dry except portions of Richardson County.

Sixteen counties in northeast Nebraska, as well as the Nebraska City area, are in the high danger area for Wednesday.

The high risk area extends to most of eastern and southern Nebraska on Thursday with very high areas in the McCook and Scottsbluff areas.

The Nebraska City Fire Department was still issuing burn permits early in the week, but says permits will be suspended if wind is forecast above 15 mph.

Nebraska City firefighters are already in the thick of the grass fire season. Fifteen firefighters responded Monday to a burn permit out of control on south Third Street and six firefighters were called out when sparks from a metal cutting torch ignited grass on Fourth Terrace.

60 acres of corn stubble burned on Henry Stratker’s field near Jade Road. Dunbar provided mutual aid with two tankers.

Weeping Water, Avoca and Manley firefighters responded to a McKelvie Road residence Saturday where a burn permit was out of control. Units were out of the station for 90 minutes.

The Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department reported .145” of rain Sunday.

The annual Dunbar Volunteer Fire Department pancake feed is scheduled Saturday, April 8, from 7 to 11 a.m. The Mad Candy Dash is at 10 a.m. across from the station.