Cottonwood, Morrill Fires contained, new fires scorch Sandhills

Within 24 hours after Incident Management declared the Morrill Fire in Morrill, Garden, Grant, Arthur and Keith counties contained, dry lightning sent Nebraska ranchers and volunteer fire fighters along with state and federal emergency personnel back into battle with two newly ignited fires in Grant County.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT 1) reported that the Ashby Fire, which started near the community of Ashby, quickly spread southward and burned into the area already burned by the Morrill Fire northeast of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Minor Fire, south of the community of Hyannis, moved southward toward Arthur County and the Morrill Fire.

According to a CIMT 1 official release, “Around 1 a.m. MDT Thursday, the incident mobilized initial-attack resources. They are actively engaged, assisting local volunteer fire departments and Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team. At Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s request, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 is assisting with both the Ashby and Minor Fires.”

Strong winds Thursday made for challenging conditions for firefighters.

“During the predawn hours Thursday, initial-attack resources worked side by side with local volunteer firefighters and Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team on the rapidly spreading Ashby Fire. Additional firefighters, engines, and four Black Hawk helicopters assisted Thursday, resulting in the fire’s progression being significantly slowed by the afternoon. The fire was staffed Thursday night by local volunteer firefighters, who reported no overnight fire activity. On Friday, firefighters will mop up hot spots along the perimeter to secure the fire lines they established Thursday,” stated the CIMT.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency State Emergency Operations Center has remained fully operational to coordinate with Rocky Mountain CIMT 1 throughout the past two weeks.

“Three single-engine air tankers made numerous water drops on the fire Thursday. With that aerial support, firefighters significantly slowed the fire’s forward progression throughout the day. However, late Thursday evening, the fire made another substantial push southward through critically dry vegetation that burned readily. Within a few hours, firefighters had halted its advance, preventing it from moving into Arthur County. Local volunteer firefighters reported no overnight fire activity. On Friday, firefighters will mop up hot spots along the perimeter to secure the fire lines they established Thursday,” stated the official CIMT release on Friday.

The Cottonwood Fire in south central Nebraska is reported to be contained as of Friday, March 27.

“Critical fire weather conditions Wednesday resulted in the Cottonwood Fire spotting outside containment lines in Division A/G on the fire’s southeast perimeter northeast of Farnam,” reported the CIMT. “Numerous resources, including some from the initial-attack groups, responded quickly. National Guard Black Hawk helicopters conducted water drops. Crews constructed fire line around the fire and limited the new growth to 10 acres. Hand crews working on the northwest part of the fire (Divisions D and A/G) reported some fire activity on the interior but had no issues holding the firelines they are working to contain.

“A reconnaissance flight Thursday did not detect any smoke in the northwest part of the Cottonwood fire where hand crews have been working for several days along rugged portions of uncontained perimeter in Divisions D and A/G. On Friday, they will continue the effort to gain full containment. Elsewhere, engine crews will patrol the fire’s perimeter, extinguishing smoldering hot spots as detected. They are also available to investigate, if requested, smoke reports made to 911 dispatchers. Unburned vegetation on the fire’s interior is occasionally flaring up and generating smoke that will likely be visible from nearby communities and residences.”

As of Friday, March 27, Rocky Mountain CIMT 1 is managing the Ashby, Minor, Cottonwood and Morrill Fires under the direction of the State of Nebraska. The State Emergency Operations Center at the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency remains fully operational to coordinate with Rocky Mountain CIMT 1.

On Saturday at 6 p.m. local time, Rocky Mountain CIMT 1 will transfer management responsibility of all four fires in a formal process called transfer of command. Command of the Morrill Fire will be transferred to local fire departments. Command of the Cottonwood Fire will be transferred to Nebraska Type 3 Incident Management Team. And command of the Ashby Fire, Minor Fire and the initial-attack response will be transferred to Rocky Mountain CIMT 2.

Transferring command is preceded by a transition, which is when the incoming team receives a briefing and its members work with — or “shadow” — their counterparts on the outgoing team for at least one day. The purpose of the intensive information sharing on shadow day is to minimize operational disruptions and keep incident personnel safe. Members of both incoming incident management teams are arriving and beginning the transition and shadow process today.

Until command is transferred, Rocky Mountain CIMT 1 is responsible for all four fires. The team and all resources assigned to the incident remain engaged and focused on the fire-suppression effort. Initial-attack firefighters and equipment will continue to respond to requests from local or state officials to assist with the initial suppression of any other new fires that may start Friday. Aerial resources assigned to the incident include three Black Hawk helicopters and one unmanned aircraft system. Single-engine air tankers and air attack from Nebraska and neighboring states are available if needed again Friday.

The 642,029-acre Morrill Fire is 100 percent contained. Because the potential remains for hot spots to flare up on the fire’s interior, a small contingent of engine crews continues to patrol and monitor the fire. Their presence ensures that as much unburned grass and vegetation will be preserved as is possible. They will be available to assist the Ashby and Minor fires as needed.

Critical fire weather conditions for the area are expected to return Saturday.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over the Ashby and Minor Fires; information is available at tfr.faa.gov. Military and incident aircraft are actively engaged in firefighting support. Adhering to the flight restriction and reducing aerial traffic around all fires keeps our air crews safe. If you fly, we can’t.