Progress made on wildfires but high winds threaten efforts

By MARGERY A. BECK and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Fire crews took advantage of a break in the weather in their battle to contain large fires in the West and Plains states but fear the return of stronger winds could spread flames further. Officials say a southwestern Nebraska wildfire that killed a former volunteer fire chief last week and destroyed several homes is about half contained. Officials say strong winds blew into southwest Nebraska on Tuesday but crews kept the fire within its perimeter and no new injuries or damage to buildings was reported. Crews in the West continue working to corral blazes in northern New Mexico that charred a combined 225 square miles over recent days. Several small villages are threatened and evacuations remain in place.