Be prepared for that statewide tornado drill this morning at 9 am mountain, 10 am central. Emergency Management Agencies run periodic tests to make sure equipment is working properly. Remember, outdoor tornado sirens are intended for those who are outdoors. Please make sure you have all of your emergency apps up to date and that your online 911 profile is current. In the case of a real emergency, notifications are typically through cell phone networks.

Please don't forget the statewide burn ban. We continue to hear of people who are violating this burn ban. Please, no burning unless it falls under the specific exceptions, said forth by the statute.

Great news in Banner County, having updated equipment and qualified personnel, are the best way to accomplish a mission properly if you're in the emergency services business and we are grateful for their new acquisition in Banner County. Yesterday, Chief Tim Grubs and Robin Darnell delivered the new ambulance to Banner County. The new ambulance was purchased in part with grant funds from the state of Nebraska and it will replace the ambulance that has served Banner County since 2002. Banner County Volunteer Fire and Rescue wrote that they are excited to have an updated ambulance and equipment to better serve Banner County. Look for that new pretty blue and white ambulance and remember, always yield to emergency personnel.

If you heard some commotion on the west side of Gering yesterday, the gearing police department held a training exercise that involved some gunfire and other noises in movement. So if you heard something yesterday, it was just a training exercise. We posted that on our news page prior to the event. Be sure to check it daily at PanhandleScanner.com or on Facebook by the same name.

(GERING, Neb.) -- We want everyone in Gering to be aware of the police training exercises that will be taking place today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the West edge of Gering. Residents in the Meadows subdivision may hear periods of simulated gunfire and loud noises throughout the day. Please be aware that this training is not occurring in the neighborhood but sound may carry into the nearby areas. For your safety, please stay away from the training area as these exercises involve simulated law enforcement response scenarios. We appreciate your understanding as officers continue important training to better serve the community.

Also want to pass along some burn ban information to you on the definition of these burn bans. Nebraska State statute 81-520.01 for the statewide burn ban applies only to bonfires, outdoor rubbish fires and fires for the purpose of clearing land. This statute is always in effect, meaning you have to obtain a burn permit in order to have a bonfire, outdoor rubbish fire or fire to clear land. The statute does not apply to portable outdoor fireplaces and fire pits and charcoal propane or wood burning grills. Please keep in mind that if you are out of state park or campground there may be tighter restrictions on what you can do and may vary from district to district. If you live in an apartment complex and you have a balcony, you cannot have a fire pit or grill on the balcony unless it is sprinkled. It is also prohibited to burn any trash or yard waste.

We hope that helps you understand the burn ban currently in effect. For more information visit our page at Panhandle Scanner or our website at PanhandleScanner.com.

(KIMBALL, Neb.) -- On Saturday night, law enforcement officials were tracking down a drunk driver in the Kimball area. After much coordination, they found the proper vehicle and a female was taken into custody.

Here's a sample of actual scanner traffic.

[ We have a drunk driver headed down East 1st Street headed west on 1st Street ]

[ We have the vehicle. It's reported as annihilated. ]

[ I'll be enroute with the female 10-15. ]

[ Copy that. 1940 ]

That's just an example of actual scanner traffic. For the entire night's traffic, visit our website and look for Scanner Traffic on the home page.

Well, good news with the Morrill Fire update this morning. Firefighter hand crews are at work mopping up and cold trailing. Firefighters have been working the ground methodically on the Clear Creek Wildlife Management area to identify and extinguish any remaining heat sources that could threaten the line. The Clear Creek Management area was impacted during the fire's intense push to the east and south last week along with nearby Omaha Beach. The fire burned through an area of brush and cottonwood trees near the North Platte River. While the act of burning has stopped, the hard work of identifying and eliminating hotspots has been underway for the past few days. Crew members are working together, walking a grid, digging up any roots and stumps that show heat, and use water to extinguish the fire. They also use a method called cold trailing, in which a firefighter feels the soil or wood with the back of a hand to make sure the ground is cold and with no signs of remaining fire. Reports indicate that the Morrill Fire is now 98% contained.

You may remember us reporting on an accident that was a fatality near North Platte on I-80 last week on March 12th. We've received confirmation that it was a Scottsbluff man who was blessed and proud as the oldest member of Grace Chapel who has gone to be with the Lord after a distracted driver caused that fatal crash on the 12th. Our prayers and condolences to all the family and friends of Mr. Richard Nuss, 90 of Scottsbluff.

An important reminder, it is a state law now in Nebraska that you must move over when you see emergency vehicles. As always, please continue to yield to all emergency personnel.

Fire crews are not only out there in the wild, fighting fires, but they are also responding to local calls. Shortly before 1pm on March 16th, Scottsbluff Fire was dispatched to a possible structure fire in the 1300 block of East Overland. Engine 1 arrived on scene about 4 minutes after the initial page and observed a shed on fire next to a vacant trailer. Damages are estimated to be around $15,000 and no one was displaced as a result of the fire.

Dangerous fire conditions continue today through Saturday. A red flag warning is in effect Thursday for much of the Panhandle where critical fire weather conditions are expected. Afternoon highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s, humidity dropping near 10% and breezy west winds will create an environment where fires can easily start and spread. Avoid outdoor burning and use extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.

We're only into this 4 day stretch of record breaking warmth with new records already being set across the area. Scottsbluff hit a high of 83 yesterday to tie their 2017 record and Sidney broke their 2017 record of 79 degrees by hitting 81 yesterday.

Let's hope that our local Dairy Queen honors this. We are told it is free cone day. Today March 19th. Visit Dairy Queen Grill and Chill today to get your free cone. If it's true, tell them the scanner sent you. If it's not true, blame it on the internet.

According to other local news services circulating reports around the state, the Cottonwood Fire is at 78% containment and the Morrill Fire is now at 67% containment.

Do you know about Casa of Scotts Bluff County?

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. Yesterday, Casa of Scotts Bluff County had the honor of swearing in three incredible new Casa volunteers. We're all very grateful for their willingness to advocate for children in our community. This work truly changes lives. Casa wrote, we're looking forward to swearing in one more amazing volunteer very soon. Stay tuned.

Yesterday, Scanner traffic indicated a motor vehicle accident at South Beltline West and Avenue B in Scottsbluff. At least two patients were transported to Regional West Medical Center.

Don't forget about our Look Who's Hiring section on our webpage at PanhandleScanner.com. One of our favorite cooks in the Valley, Sharon at Memaw's Barnyard Eats, has an opening for a daytime dishwasher / kitchen support. Contact Sharon at Meimaw's today. If that position hasn't already been filled. Memaw's Barnyard Eats is located inside Sugar Valley Stockyards in Gering, Nebraska.

Do you love design? Have an eye for detail? Want a steady schedule with no weekends or late nights? Torrington Telegram is hiring a graphics designer. Create ads and promotional graphics for local businesses and special publications. Contact the Torrington Telegram today. Tell them you heard it on Scanner News.

Honey Butter Roasted Peacons Sweet Crunchy and Delicious. Find a recipe for those Honey Butter Roasted Peacons on our Facebook page at Panhandle Scanner.

Join the Mitchell FFA on Thursday, March 19th for their fourth annual Labor Silent Auction. Come to the Mitchell Event Center at the Fairgrounds to help support the Mitchell FFA in their trips to state, community events, and district events. Thank you to the community for supporting all the local FFA clubs. And more local community events on our community calendar at Panhandle Scanner.

Speaking of Benefit auctions, Gordon Livestock Market is conducting a fire relief benefit auction on April 4th that will be at their sale barn at Gordon Livestock Market. All proceeds will go to help local ranchers affected by the fires. There's no donation too big or too small.

Contact Gordon Livestock Market today to line up your auction items. They'll have internet bidding, Facebook Live, the Gordon Livestock Market Cafe, and more. Let's support our neighbors in every single way that we can. Ranchers helping ranchers.

And speaking of that fire now, it is reported to be over 572,000 acres and the first report of containment at 18%. For precipitation and rest for our firefighters. To follow all of the updates on the fire, you can visit our news page at panhandlescanner.com and click on fire and rescue.

It's March Madness time in the brackets are beginning to be formed for the NCAA tournament, but our Arthur's Pizza photo contest is already underway. And we're down to our Elite Eight. Check out Panhandle Scanner on Facebook for those amazing photos in our winter photo contest sponsored exclusively by Arthur's Pizza.

Nebraska's largest wildfire in history is now over a half a million acres. On Thursday, March 12, an electrical pole snapped after succumbing to 70 mile an hour plus winds on a farm in Morrill County. Over a half a million acres are charred and yes, one day this land will be even better once it's healed. But until that time, our neighbors, friends, and even strangers who feed us are suffering. Several agencies around the Panhandle have set up tax deductible funds for those able to donate financially to the recovery effort. Local agencies in the Panhandle that we recommend, Oregon Trail Community Foundation, the United Way, and Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief set up through Gordon Livestock.

We've set up a special fire relief page on our website at panhandlescanner.com.

One question we have for everyone in the area, if this were a war and the enemy was threatening you or your neighbors, lives, and property, what would you do?

We thank everyone for their prayers and their donations. And for those who are willing to join the fight, contact your local fire department today and join the fight in this largest fire in the history of our state. A list of fire departments and all the fire information about the Morrill Fire and others in Nebraska can be found on our website at panhandlescanner.com. Just look for the fire relief page.

We ask for your prayers for all of the farmers, ranchers, the brave and tireless firefighters, emergency response personnel, and everyone involved in this devastating emergency.