Fire crews continue to make steady progress on the Morrill Fire in western Nebraska, with containment expected to increase in the coming days.
Operations Chief Rob Powell with Rocky Mountain Team 1 said most of the fire is holding within established containment lines, though a small portion in a natural area remains uncontained due to safety concerns.
Powell said, “We will show that contained probably in the next day or so.”
Crews are avoiding that section because of dense, fire-damaged cottonwood trees, known as snags, which pose a serious risk to firefighters.
“Snags… next to car accidents is like the number two thing that kills firefighters,” Powell said.
Rather than risk injury, crews are allowing that area to burn out naturally. Powell emphasized the fire there is not expected to spread beyond containment lines.
“It’s just not worth the exposure,” he said.
Interior hotspots continue to burn within the fire perimeter, but officials say they are not currently a concern.
“The stuff that’s cooking off… is a long ways away to the edge of our containment lines,” Powell said.
Resources remain strong on the Morrill Fire, with additional crews available to respond to new incidents if needed.
“We will have task forces available… with resources that we have,” Powell said.
Governor Jim Pillen has also directed firefighting teams to remain in place for their full 14-day assignment.
“We’re not reducing our resources and capability to fight fires in western Nebraska,” Powell said.
Officials warn that conditions across the Northern Great Plains are unusually dangerous for this time of year.
“We’re setting historic records… it’s never been this warm and dry in March… in the last 128 years,” Powell said.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect, and residents are urged to report any fire activity immediately.
“If there are new fires… call 911 to report these emergencies,” Powell said.