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The largest wildfire in Nebraska history is burning out of control this morning
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Combined with three other major fires, more than half a million acres across central and western Nebraska are on fire
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Powerful planes winds are fueling the flames. Governor Jim Pillen says an elderly woman died trying to escape the fire in Morrill County in the state's western panhandle
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Look at all that smoke. The Nebraska National Guard has deployed Blackhawk helicopters, scooping water from a nearby lake and dropping it on the flames from above
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The largest fire alone has burned more than 450,000 acres. Investigators believe strong winds knock down power lines, sparking an electrical fire that quickly spread
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The governor has declared a state of emergency, freeing up additional resources as crews from Omaha, Lincoln and other cities head west to help
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As of Sunday, the fires were 0% contained. Forecasters say wind gusts near 60 mph combined with extremely dry conditions
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are helping the flames spread rapidly across the region