ARTHUR, Neb. (AP) — A wildfire blamed on lightning has blackened more than 42 square miles of grassland and farmland in western Nebraska.

A lone strike around 9 p.m. Saturday touched off flames near Bucktail Lake in Arthur County. Paxton Fire Chief Kyle Gartrell says the fire then spread into McPherson and Keith counties. Gartrell says 23 departments sent crews to help fight the blaze. No injuries or damage to buildings has been reported, although some people had to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

The National Weather Service posted red flag warnings for Monday over about three-quarters of Nebraska because of dry vegetation, low humidity and high winds.