Ashby, Minor & Cottonwood Fire Update: March 29, 2026

Ashby, Minor & Cottonwood Fire Update: March 29, 2026

RELEASE DATE: Mar 29, 2026

Sunday, March 29, 2026 - 9 a.m. MDT

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2

Incident Commander Jay Mickey

Phone (public and media inquiries): 719-283-6829, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. MDT

Email: [email protected] *NEW*

Linktree: linktr.ee/morrillandcottonwoodfires

Current Situation: At 6 p.m. MDT Saturday, Rocky Mountain CIMT 2, under the leadership of Incident Commander Jay Mickey, assumed command of the Ashby, Minor and Cottonwood Fires. Rocky Mountain CIMT 2 will manage all fires under the direction of the State of Nebraska and continue to coordinate with local volunteer fire departments.

The Morrill Fire is now being managed by local volunteer fire departments. Contact the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency public information officer at 402-326-3179 or [email protected] regarding the Morrill Fire.

Initial Attack: In addition to managing three existing fires in western Nebraska, Rocky Mountain CIMT 2 is providing statewide initial-attack assistance to local volunteer fire departments as needed and requested. Currently, incident personnel are assisting local firefighters on the 122-acre Curry Timber Fire east of Peru, Nebraska. The fire was declared 100 percent contained Saturday. The hand crew will remain on the fire Sunday, primarily to fell burned trees along hiking trails that would pose a hazard when the area opens to the public.

On Sunday, five initial-attack groups will be dispersing to communities across the state-Alliance, Ogallala, Broken Bow and Columbus-to reduce response times to any new fires that may start.

Ashby and Minor Fires: Despite Saturday's critical fire weather conditions and strong southerly winds that tested firelines, crews successfully kept the fires from growing larger. Areas of heat remain within the interiors of both fires. As of late Saturday, firefighters made significant progress toward containment. No assistance from aerial resources was required. Local volunteer firefighters patrolling the fires overnight observed minimal fire activity. On Sunday, the fires will be staffed by several engine crews, and National Guard Black Hawk helicopters are available to assist with water drops if needed.

Cottonwood Fire: The 129,253-acre Cottonwood Fire is 100 percent contained. However, while the fire is not expected to grow larger, areas of unburned vegetation within the fire's interior continue to occasionally ignite and flare up. The fire remains staffed by a 20-person hand crew and a contingent of engine crews that are patrolling the fire's perimeter and extinguishing all hotspots they detect. Residents should expect to see smoke within the fire's interior.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of western Nebraska-which includes areas around the Ashby and Minor Fires-from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MDT Sunday. Critical fire weather conditions also persist in the Cottonwood Fire area. Temperatures remain up to 30 degrees above normal with highs likely reaching the mid 80s Sunday. Relative humidity will decrease to about 10 percent by afternoon. Northwest winds will moderate slightly, gusting to 25 mph. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal (Ashby and Minor Fires) to moderate (Cottonwood Fire). However, with such weather conditions and the vegetation being critically dry, any new fires that may start would likely have active fire behavior and spread rapidly (e.g., 4-7 mph in grass). As you recreate or work outdoors, remain vigilant. Report new fires by calling 911. A good source for information on air quality and wildfire smoke is Fire.AirNow.gov.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): The Ashby and Minor Fires TFR is no longer in effect. However, incident aircraft continue to support the fire-suppression effort, so reducing aerial traffic around all fires helps keep the air crews safe.

Ashby Fire Statistics

• Size: 36,004 acres
• Containment: 46%
• Personnel: 171
• Cause: undetermined

Minor Fire Statistics

• Size: 14,082 acres
• Containment: 7%
• Personnel: 140
• Cause: undetermined

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Ashby, Minor & Cottonwood Fire Update 03-29-26