Three of the largest fires that sparked nearly two weeks ago are reported to be very close to 100% containment as of Tuesday morning (March 24).
Yesterday, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, US Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, and US Representative Adrian Smith flew over the Morrill fire, visited firefighters at the incident command post in Ogallala and met with landowners affected by the fires.
Four groups of firefighters and equipment remain ready to assist local fire departments with new fires that may occur. A fire weather watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Wednesday which includes most areas surrounding the Morrill and Cottonwood fires.
Some equipment will be demobilized as 100 percent containment is approached and firefighters will return to their home units for much-needed rest before being mobilized to other areas of the country experiencing high fire activity.
Morrill Fire
Began: Believed to be Morrill County due to a power pole knocked down by wind, March 12 (officially undetermined)
Where: Has affected or threatened land in the counties of Morrill, Garden, Grant, Arthur, and Keith
Acres burned as of this update: 643,029 (as of Tuesday)
Containment as up this update: 98% (as of Tuesday)
Personnel: 191
Latest additional information or explanation: Fire activity was minimal on Monday. Engine crews patrolling detected only one source of heat on the fire’s interior. Monitoring will continue Tuesday with hotspot extinguishing happening when found. (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 (cause undetermined)
Where: Has affected or threatened land in the counties of Dawson, Lincoln, and Frontier counties
Acres burned as of this update: 129,103 (as of Tuesday)
Containment as of this update: 98% (as of Tuesday)
Personnel: 247
Latest additional information or explanation: Strong winds from the south tested containment lights along the northern side of the fire, but no active fire on the interior spread beyond the current perimeter. Hand crews on the uncontained portions of the northwest perimeter kept fire within its current footprint. After numerous days constructing fireline with hand tools, they are accomplishing the mission of fully suppressing the fire.
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: 35,892 (as of Monday afternoon)
Containment as of this update: 90% (as of Monday afternoon)
Latest additional information or explanation: Crews are actively rehabbing dozer lines and areas with potential remaining heat are being re-checked. Full containment is likely as favorable weather and on-the-ground conditions are maintained.
