Response continues to several large fire scenes in the state of Nebraska that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres and brought together thousands of personnel utilizing resources from local, state, and federal levels.
According to the National Weather Service, near critical fire weather conditions will continue Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday across the area. They are also possible on Wednesday.
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: 643,029 (as of Sunday)
Containment as up this update: 98% (as of Sunday)
Personnel: 208
Latest additional information or explanation: Fire behavior was minimal on Saturday. Some minimally active fires on the interior were handled without issue. Patrols and monitoring continued on Sunday. One of the incident’s two drones will also be used to detect hot spots not producing smoke or in areas inaccessible to firefighters or equipment. (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: 128,289 (as of Sunday)
Containment as of this update: 94% (as of Sunday
Personnel: 274
Latest additional information or explanation: Within the fire footprint, brush and trees that were unburnt ignited, burned readily, and produced abundant smoke on Saturday afternoon. Hand crews in the fire’s northwest corner saw very active fire behavior. Despite additional resources that included water drops by the National Guard helicopters, the fire grew approximately 100 acres in the uncontained area on that northwest tip. Three unoccupied firefighting vehicles were burned over and destroyed, but no one was injured. (an investigation is underway). Sunday, hand crews returned to sections of uncontained fire perimeter to extinguish heat sources on the fire’s edge.
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 (last estimate made available earlier last week)
Containment as of this update: 87% (as of Sunday afternoon)
Latest additional information or explanation: Crews haven’t reported new found heat or open flame in the timber area of greater concern on the south side of the fire on Sunday. Rehab of the dozer line has begun, which includes pulling the top layer of sand and organic material back over the areas that were previously cut and pushed away, helping to stabilize the ground and support natural recovery.
