Fires flare up around Nebraska, including Clay County
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a winter outlook Oct. 17 for December 2024-February 2024, with a slowly-developing La Niña favored to influence conditions this winter for most of the U.S.
During a La Niña, trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia, and increasing the upwelling along western coasts, bringing cold and nutrient-rich water to the surface.
Due to the colder waters pushing northward, it tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S. and heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
Drought conditions are expected to continue or worsen throughout the central and southern U.S. plains, with Clay County situated in the widespread moderate-to-severe drought stage.
While temperatures in the northwestern states are expected to feel below-average temperatures, and the southern states above average, the central states, Nebraska included, will have equal chances of either below or above the average temperatures at this time of year.
FIRES
A series of fires flared up across Nebraska last week, with one showing up in southern Clay County Thursday, Oct. 17.
Clay Center was called to a standing
ASHLEY D SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS
cornfield fire around 10 a.m., with Fairfield, Edgar, and Sutton Fire called for mutual aid around 10:30 a.m. The fire was started due to a combine along County Road W between 309 and 310, and burned about 20 acres.
Along with the fire departments, several farmers with various equipment came out to help.
The fire was deemed out by 11:20 a.m.
A plume of smoke rises into the air from a field fire east of Clay Center along County Road W. ASHLEY D SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS
