Firefighters making headway against Neb. blazes

In this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 photo, smoke plumes rise from the West Ash Creek wildfire near Crawford Neb. The blaze is one of three wildfires burning in Nebraska and South Dakota, started earlier in the week by lightning. (AP Photo/Omaha World-Herald, Mark Davis) MAGS OUT; ALL NEBRASKA LOCAL BROADCAST TV OUT

In this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 photo, smoke plumes rise from the West Ash Creek wildfire near Crawford Neb. The blaze is one of three wildfires burning in Nebraska and South Dakota, started earlier in the week by lightning. (AP Photo/Omaha World-Herald, Mark Davis) MAGS OUT; ALL NEBRASKA LOCAL BROADCAST TV OUT

Nebraska Gov. Heineman, left, talks with Scott Josiah, state forester and director of Nebraska Forest Service, as they inspect fire damage at Chadron State Park, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, near Chadron, Neb. Officials estimated Sunday that the fires have now burned roughly 273 square miles, including at least 27,000 acres in South Dakota. That's up from roughly 93 square miles on Saturday and more than twice the size of Omaha. (AP Photo/Omaha World-Herald, Jeff Beiermann, Pool)

Black soot remains at the site of the West Ash fire at Chadron State Park near Chadron Neb., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heinaman toured the West Ash fire site and visited with local officials. (AP Photo/Omaha World-Herald, Jeff Beiermann, Pool)

A number of stumps smolder inside Chadron State Park south of south of Chadron, Neb., on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman toured the West Ash fire site Sunday. Officials estimated Sunday that the fires have now burned roughly 273 square miles, including at least 27,000 acres in South Dakota. That's up from roughly 93 square miles on Saturday and more than twice the size of Omaha. (AP Photo/Omaha World-Herald, Jeff Beiermann, Pool)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) ? Some of the firefighters who have battled the western Nebraska and South Dakota wildfires are being sent home.

Federal fire spokesman Neal Kephart says firefighters have gotten a good hand on the Douthit and West Ash fires near Chadron, Neb.

Kephart says those fires are 99 percent contained, so firefighters, managers and support personnel are being released.

He estimated as many as 700 people were working those fires. He expects that could be down to 400 by Monday night.

Crews are also making good progress against the Wellnitz fire, which is burning north of Rushville and into South Dakota. Officials say if containment efforts continue, some local firefighters could be released soon.

The three fires have burned nearly 260 square miles.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-09-03-Midwest%20Wildfires/id-24c11e685aeb4c15ba22f998a0ed77c3

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