Lightning strike sparked fire at wildlife refuge near Nebraska-Iowa border

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lightning sparked a fire Tuesday at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near the Nebraska-Iowa border.

In an update Wednesday, Blair Volunteer Fire & Rescue said a dead cottonwood tree was struck by lightning, igniting the wildfire.

Multiple agencies responded to the wildlife refuge just east of the Nebraska-Iowa border.

Crews got the fire under control in about two hours, according to officials.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is still on scene extinguishing smoldering trees and monitoring windy conditions.

The “main portion” of the wildlife refuge is closed for the public’s safety, but people can still go to the visitor center.