From ABC News: Three major wildfires, including the largest one in Nebraska history, have burned around 600,000 acres of land in central and western Nebraska and remained 0% contained on Sunday after killing one person, officials said.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency, freeing up additional resources to battle the blazes. Pillen has also deployed Nebraska National Guard troops to assist local firefighters.
Two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters are also working to fight the blazes, officials said.
As of Saturday night, the Morrill Fire, in which one person died on Thursday, had torched more than 460,000 acres across Morrill, Arthur and Keith counties, making it the biggest wildfire in Nebraska history. According to Nebraska Public Media, the Morrill fire traveled more than 65 miles in roughly six hours after it ignited.
Reportedly, it is believed to have started when 70mph winds broke electric poles.
The Cottonwood Fire has burned about 100,000 acres in Dawson County, which is in south-central Nebraska.
A third fire is called the Road 203 Fire in Blaine and Thomas counties, which is the center of the state, has burned more than 40,000 acres.
As of Sunday, all three fires were 0% contained, and are being fueled by dry weather and extremely high winds. The fires are consuming cropland, pastureland and cattle, along with structures and homes.
Many Nebraska cities not affected by the fires are sending what equipment and personnel they can spare to help fight the fires.
Sadly, the victim of the Morrill fire was an elderly woman trying to flee the fire. From Nebraska Public Media:
Gov. Jim Pillen on Saturday confirmed the person who died in Arthur County from the Morrill Fire was a woman who couldn’t escape as the flames raced across the prairie.
“One Nebraskan lost their life – Rose White,” Pillen said during a Saturday morning briefing to reporters in Ogallala. “I won’t go into the circumstances. Hurts a little bit, but a grandma that was trying to get away.”
SCARY SIGHT: Aerial footage captures the raging, uncontained wildfires across Nebraska, where more than 500,000 acres of land have burned in just a few days’ time.
A state of emergency has been declared by Gov. Jim Pillen, who said he’s thankful that President Trump immediately… pic.twitter.com/0Iulw2upTW
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 15, 2026
Nebraska’s largest city coming to the aid of some of our most rural communities. And more assistance is underway from Lincoln, Columbus, and other cities.
Nebraskans helping Nebraskans in time of crisis. https://t.co/S3ndzAQ76W
— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) March 15, 2026
Garden County Sheriff Randy Ross lost his own home in the terrifying fire, and barely got his family out in time. WATCH BELOW:
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