The Cottonwood Fire viewed near Banner Road on Saturday, March 21, (Sarah Neben, Courtesy)
NEBRASKA — 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.
Current Situation: 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.
Ashby Fire: 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 mopup hotspots along the perimeter to secure the firelines they established Thursday.
Minor Fire: 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 mopup hotspots along the perimeter to secure the firelines they established Thursday.
Cottonwood Fire: A reconnaissance flight Thursday did not detect any smoke in the northwest part of the 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 hotspots 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.
Morrill Fire: The 642,029-acre Morrill Fire is 100 percent contained. Because the potential remains for hotspots 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.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Friday will be cooler than normal, with highs in the 50s. Relative humidity levels should remain above 20 percent. Winds, while shifting throughout the day, are expected to remain light. This combination of weather conditions should reduce fire activity on the Ashby and Minor Fires, including the speed at which they will spread, prior to critical fire weather conditions returning Saturday. Fire.AirNow.gov is a good source for air-quality information if you are affected by wildfire smoke.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A TFR 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!
Ashby Fire Statistics
Size: 37,150 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 41
Cause: undetermined
Minor Fire Statistics
Size: 13,805 acres
Containment: 1%
Personnel: 43
Cause: undetermined
Cottonwood Fire Statistics
Size: 129,103 acres
Containment: 98%
Personnel: 183
Cause: undetermined
