Multiple wildfires across Nebraska have scorched more than 600,000 acres, marking the largest wildfire outbreak in the state’s history. The biggest blaze, known as the Morrill Fire, had burned around 460,000 acres as of Saturday and resulted in one fatality, according to Governor Jim Pillen. Authorities said the Morrill Fire and three other major fires in central and western Nebraska remain completely uncontained.
Firefighting efforts have been complicated by severe weather conditions linked to a winter storm in the Midwest. Strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions initially sparked the fires on Thursday, while gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour on Sunday have grounded firefighting aircraft. The National Interagency Fire Center has taken over management of the two largest fires — the Morrill Fire and the Cottonwood Fire — the latter of which has already burned more than 100,000 acres.
Governor Pillen declared a state of emergency on Friday, mobilizing the Nebraska National Guard, including soldiers and aircraft, to assist in containment efforts. Fire crews from Nebraska’s largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln, have also been deployed following the governor’s request for support. Officials from Nebraska and neighboring states including Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming are working together to combat the blazes, while a statewide burn ban has been issued through March 27.
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