A very busy day yesterday for Panhandle Scanner admins. So much activity that we've hired two new admins.

This is a big announcement for Morrill County. Starting today, you will see a new page on Facebook for Morrill County Scanner. And for more improved local weather and news coverage in the Scottsbluff and Gearing area, we've hired another local reporter.

Welcome to both Bridget and Cody and a big show of appreciation for our primary admin, Tim Mendez. Yesterday, Timothy was very busy tracking the South Fork Fire near Crawford. According to the Watch Duty app, the fire is just under 9,000 acres per the perimeter uploaded to the National Interagency Fire Center or NIFC.

The South Fork Fire has crossed Nebraska Highway 20 and is moving southeast. The highway is currently closed. US 20 between Main Street and Harrison and Nebraska 71 near Crawford is impassable per Nebraska 511.

US Forest Service and local volunteer fire departments began the initial attack on the South Fork Fire yesterday around 4 45 p.m. in the area of Soldier Creek Wilderness in the Nebraska National Forest Pine Ridge Ranger District. And don't forget our public record every Monday through Friday when available. And of course our Look Who's Hiring section and our community calendar all on panhandlescanner.com. For more fire coverage and the rest of our stories, please visit panhandlescanner.com or our Facebook page by the same name.