The four largest wildfires that started in Nebraska late last week continue to see rising containment levels, thanks to coordinated efforts from local, regional, and statewide crews. Below are the latest updates available as of Thursday (March 19).
Despite hot, dry, and windy conditions, the Morrill and Cottonwood fires remained within established firelines. Fire activity was limited to interior areas, where unburned vegetation ignited and burned.
Although not all fire zones are under a red flag warning, fire weather conditions persist today, with high temperatures, low humidity, and breezy to windy conditions continuing.
Helicopters remain on standby for water drops if fire activity increases or new fires ignite. Drones are still supporting crews with mapping and detecting hot spots.
Updates on the four major Nebraska fires will continue to be added throughout Thursday as new information becomes available.
Morrill Fire
Began: Morrill County after wind knocked down a power pole, March 12
Where: Impacted or threatened land in Morrill, Garden, Grant, Arthur, and Keith counties
Acres burned: 643,074 (as of Thursday morning)
Containment: 67% (as of Thursday morning)
Personnel: 202
Latest update: Firefighters continue working along the perimeter, while some crews move into interior areas to fully extinguish smoldering heat near tree windbreaks and structures. Drones have identified residual heat inside containment lines, which is not expected to spread beyond established firelines.
Cottonwood Fire
Began: Southeast Lincoln County near Cottonwood Road and South Government Pocket Road, March 12
Where: Impacted or threatened land in Dawson, Lincoln, and Frontier counties
Acres burned: 128,036 (as of Thursday morning)
Containment: 78% (as of Thursday morning)
Personnel: 251
Latest update: The fire remains most active from Jeffrey Reservoir westward. Crews are facing challenges in the northwest area due to rugged terrain requiring foot access. Woody vegetation continues to retain heat and flare up, making suppression efforts more difficult than in grassland areas. Five 20-person hand crews are working directly along the fire’s edge, cutting trees and extinguishing hot spots.
Road 203 Fire
Began: When the Chokecherry prescribed burn at Halsey National Forest spread beyond its intended area two days later, March 12
Where: Impacted or threatened land in Blaine, Logan, Thomas, and Custer counties
Acres burned: 35,913 (as of Thursday morning)
Containment: 80% (as of Thursday morning)
Latest update: Management returned to the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands at 8 a.m. Thursday from the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team. Drones provided updated information on the fire perimeter and remaining heat. Crews are monitoring containment lines and beginning suppression repair, including fixing damaged fencing and rehabilitating dozer lines by covering them with limbs and brush. The Bessey Ranger District remains closed for safety.
Anderson Bridge Fire
Began: Eastern edge of Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest south of Kilgore, March 12
Where: Impacted or threatened land in Cherry County
Acres burned: 17,400 (as of Tuesday morning; no new update)
Containment: 60% (as of Tuesday morning; no new update)
Latest update: Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest remains closed to visitors for safety. No further updates on containment or acreage have been provided since Tuesday.
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