The four largest wildfires that began in Nebraska late last week continue to have their containment percentages rise due to the efforts of those locally, regionally, statewide, and beyond. Below are updates on what is known as it is made available through the day on Thursday (March 19).
Despite hot, dry, and windy conditions, the Morrill and Cottonwood fires did not spread beyond established firelines. All fire activity was on interior portions of both fires as unburned vegetation ignited and was consumed.
Although a red flag warning isn’t in affect for all of the fire areas, fire weather conditions do continue today with continued high temperatures, low relative humidity, and breezy to windy conditions.
Helicopters remain ready and available for water drops if fire activity increases or if new fires start. Drones continue to assist firefighters with mapping and hot spot detection.
Any news on the four major fires in Nebraska received in the daytime hours Thursday will be placed into this story through updates as they flow in. Please check back through Thursday
Morrill Fire
Began: Morrill County due to a power pole knocked down by wind, March 12
Where: Has affected or threatened land in the counties of Morrill, Garden, Grant, Arthur, and Keith
Acres burned as of this update: 643,074 (as of Thursday morning)
Containment as up this update: 67% (as of Thursday morning)
Personnel: 202
Latest additional information or explanation: Many firefighters continue to work along the fire perimeter, some are accessing the interior to ensure all smoldering heat is extinguished in tree windbreaks near structures. Areas of residual heat being seen by drones are interior and are not expected to burn beyond existing firelines or containment lines. (See full Cottonwood and Morrill fire update press release at the end of this story)
Cottonwood Fire
Began: Southeast corner of Lincoln County near Cottonwood Road and South Government Pocket Road, March 12
Where: Has affected or threatened land in the counties of Dawson, Lincoln, and Frontier counties
Acres burned as of this update: 128,036 (as of Thursday morning)
Containment as of this update: 78% (as of Thursday morning)
Personnel: 251
Latest additional information or explanation: Fire was most active from Jeffrey Reservoir westward. Suppression on northwest corner is taking more time because of rugged terrain requiring access on foot. Woody vegetation in the area is also retaining heat and flaring up due to being more resistant to control than grass. That area of the fire is a priority, with five twenty-person hand crews constructing fireline directly on the fire’s edge by cutting trees and extinguishing hot spots they encounter.
Road 203 Fire
Began: When the Chokecherry Prescribed burn at the Halsey National Forest left its burn area two days later, March 12
Where: Has affected or threatened land in the counties of Blaine, Logan, Thomas, and Custer
Acres burned as of this update: 35,913 (as of Thursday morning)
Containment as of this update: 80% (as of Thursday morning)
Latest additional information or explanation: Management of the fire shifted back locally to the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands at 8 AM this morning from the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team. Drones yesterday provided info on fire perimeter and heat remaining in the area. Firefighters are continuing to monitor and patrol containment lines, while crews are also starting suppression repair through the fire area. Damaged fencing will be addressed, dozer lines will be rehabbed by covering them with scattered limbs and brush to reduce accessibility will also take place. The Bessey Ranger district remains closed for public and crew safety.
Anderson Bridge Fire
Began: On the eastern edge of Samuel R. McKelvie National forest south of Kilgore, March 12
Where: Has affected or threatened land in Cherry County
Acres burned as of this update: 17,400 (as of Tuesday morning.. no updates given since)
Containment as of this update: 60% (as of Tuesday morning.. no updates given since)
Latest additional information or explanation: Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest remains closed to visitors for safety. No further updates have been given on fire containment or acreage since Tuesday morning)
