Evacuations in Nebraska, western Iowa caused by prairie fires

Parts of Nebraska and Iowa are being evacuated due to prairie fires and high winds. Winds have topped 60 mph in many regions causing the fires to spread.

The nearly 300 residents of Hallam, about 20 miles south of Lincoln, were ordered to evacuate their homes, and rural residents of southern Lancaster County and northern Gage County were urged to evacuate because of the fires.

Officials also asked farmers to turn on irrigation pivots or other water sources to help combat the fires, which were contained by Sunday evening, with the help of rain showers that moved into the area. Officials said three homes and several outbuildings were destroyed in Lancaster County.