A red flag warning is in effect for several area counties from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in North Platte warned.
With a combination of warmer temperatures, dry air and strong south winds, any fire could spread rapidly, the NWS said.
The high temperature through the weekend will be in the upper-60s to low-70s. Winds on Friday and Saturday will be sustained at 15 to 25 mph, gusting up to 35 mph.
There is a 30 percent chance of rain on Saturday night, the only precipitation in the long-range forecast.
By mid-week next week, the NWS is calling for the high temperatures to reach 80 degrees.