Three main wildfires, together with the biggest one in Nebraska historical past, have burned round 600,000 acres of land in central and western Nebraska and remained 0% contained on Sunday after killing one particular person, officers stated.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency, releasing up extra sources to battle the blazes. Pillen has additionally deployed Nebraska Nationwide Guard troops to help native firefighters.
Two Nebraska Military Nationwide Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters are additionally working to battle the blazes, officers stated.
The “Morrill Fireplace,” pictured right here, March 15, 2026, has burned greater than 460,000 acres in Morrill and Arthur counties, Nebraska, authorities stated.
Nebraska Forest Service
The Morrill Fireplace has consumed greater than 460,000 acres throughout Morrill, Arthur and Keith counties, making it the largest wildfire in Nebraska historical past, officers stated. The fireplace killed one particular person on Thursday in Arthur County, Pillen stated at a information convention on Saturday.
The Cottonwood Fireplace has burned about 100,000 acres in Dawson County close to town of Gothenberg, Nebraska state officers stated, whereas the third fireplace burning is the Street 203 Fireplace in Blaine and Thomas counties, close to the village of Halsey, which has burned greater than 40,000 acres, state officers stated.
The entire fires had been 0% contained as of Sunday, officers stated.
A cross-country storm bringing snow to different elements of the Midwest on Sunday is predicted to convey dry and windy situations to the areas the place the fires are burning, making the battle much more of a problem for firefighters.
An aerial picture taken, March 13, 2026, of a wildfire burning in Dawson County, Nebraska.
Nebraska State Police Troop D
“The winds are presupposed to be extraordinary,” Gov. Pillen stated at Saturday’s information convention.
Pillen referred to as on mayors of Nebraska’s largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln, to offer extra personnel and tools. The governor stated he additionally would contact close by states, together with Iowa, to request assist.
Each the Lincoln and Omaha fireplace departments stated they’re sending personnel and tools to battle the blazes.
“Our hearts exit to the residents of Keith County,” stated Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr., in accordance with Omaha ABC affiliate KETV. “Omaha stands able to assist our neighbors. By deploying these sources, we’re offering crucial reduction to native crews whereas making certain that our personal metropolis stays absolutely protected and staffed for native emergencies.”
After taking a helicopter tour on Saturday of the areas the place the fires are burning, Gov. Pillen stated, “I feel it is vital that every one Nebraskans pray.”
