Cottonwood and Morrill Fires Update: March 22, 2026

Cottonwood and Morrill Fires Update: March 22, 2026

RELEASE DATE: Mar 22, 2026

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Justin Conrad, Incident Commander

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

Email: [email protected]

Linktree: linktr.ee/morrillandcottonwoodfires

Current Situation: Record-setting weather conditions developed as predicted Saturday. As a result, fire behavior on the Cottonwood Fire increased as expected (see Cottonwood Fire below). Initial-attack groups were mobilized to assist with new fires elsewhere in Nebraska and to increase staffing on the Cottonwood Fire. At Sunday morning's crew briefing, Deputy Incident Commander Dan Dallas thanked the firefighters for maintaining a state of readiness and being on full alert Saturday. "Be flexible today," he continued, "You might end up miles away, helping the State of Nebraska with initial attack and augmenting state and local resources." The incident is prepared to assist where needed in the state.

Cottonwood Fire: Within the fire footprint, brush and trees left unburned or partially burned during the fire's initial growth frequently ignited, burned readily and produced abundant smoke on Saturday afternoon. Hand crews that have been working for several days in Divisions A and D on the fire's northwest corner experienced very active fire behavior. Despite an influx of additional resources from the initial-attack group staged in Brady and water drops by National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, the fire grew approximately 100 acres in the uncontained area on that northwest tip. Three unoccupied firefighting vehicles were also burned over and destroyed. No one was injured. An investigation is underway. Crews in the western portion of Division D around Jeffrey Reservoir remained on the fireline late Saturday night, working around structures and on the fire's uncontained edge. Fire activity also increased on the eastern portion of Division D south of Gothenburg near Wiggins Reservoir; engine crews successfully suppressed the flames and held the containment line.

On Sunday, hand crews will return to the two sections of uncontained fire perimeter northwest and southeast of Jeffrey Reservoir, methodically and steadily constructing fireline and extinguishing heat sources directly on the fire's edge. Along the controlled perimeter, engine crews will patrol, monitor and extinguish all hotspots they detect at the fire's edge and several feet into the burned area.

Morrill Fire: Fire behavior was minimal Saturday on the Morrill Fire. In Division OO (the southern side of the fire north of Oshkosh), crews suppressed fire that was minimally active on the interior and had no issues with containment. No heat was observed in the uncontained area of Division KK in the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area. The fire remains staffed with numerous engine crews and equipment. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire's perimeter and interior on Sunday, looking for any lingering hotspots to extinguish. One of the incident's two drones will also be used to detect hotspots that are not producing smoke or in areas inaccessible to firefighters or equipment.

Weather and Fire Behavior: By Sunday afternoon, winds will decrease to 15-20 mph, relative humidity will be about 30 percent, and temperatures will peak in the 60s. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal on the Morrill Fire and moderate on the Cottonwood Fire. Incident personnel are maintaining a presence around perimeters of both fires and focusing particularly on increasing containment on the Cottonwood Fire before critical fire weather conditions return for the duration of this week. If wildfire smoke is affecting your area, visit Fire.AirNow.gov for air-quality information.

Evacuations: No evacuation orders are in effect for either the Cottonwood or Morrill Fires. All orders have been lifted.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFRs are in effect over portions of the Morrill and Cottonwood Fires. Current TFR boundaries are available at tfr.faa.gov. The TFRs are in effect because military and incident aircraft are actively engaged in firefighting support. We appreciate local aviators' adhering to the flight restrictions and their assistance reducing aerial traffic around the fires so our air crews remain safe. Remember: If you fly, we can't!

Cottonwood Fire Statistics:

• Size: 128,289 acres
• Containment: 94%
• Personnel: 274
• Cause: undetermined

Morrill Fire Statistics

• Size: 642,029 acres
• Containment: 98%
• Personnel: 208
• Cause: undetermined

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