Fire roars across Jewell County

As this issue was being put together Tuesday afternoon, a wildfire was sweeping northwest across Jewell County.

A farmer in the North Branch area said from his house it appeared the flames were leaping 30 feet into the air. The National Weather Service radar at Blue Hill was seeing the smoke plume coming from the fire.

Unconfirmed reports indicated fire departments from Mankato, Burr Oak, Esbon, Guide Rock, Red Cloud, Superior and Nelson had joined in the fight and we expect more may be asked before it is contained. The storm spotter training class the National Weather Service had planned to h...