Cottonwood and Morrill Fires Update: March 23, 2026

Cottonwood and Morrill Fires Update: March 23, 2026

RELEASE DATE: Mar 23, 2026

Monday, March 23, 2026 - 9 a.m. MDT

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: Both the Cottonwood and Morrill Fires remain staffed with numerous resources who can respond to unforeseen issues that may arise as weather conditions once again become hotter, drier, and windier. The incident meteorologist anticipates strong and frequently shifting winds and temperatures 30-35 degrees above March averages this week.

The incident continues to support the State of Nebraska by redirecting some resources to assist local fire departments with initial fire-suppression efforts on new fires that may occur.

Cottonwood Fire: Fire behavior on the Cottonwood Fire Sunday was moderate, with active fire observed in pockets of previously scorched or unburned trees-primarily eastern redcedar-within the fire's interior. Some tree torching and short crown runs were also observed, but significantly less than on Saturday. There was no growth of the 265-mile-long perimeter Sunday. Approximately one hundred firefighters have been working on the northwestern side of the fire (Divisions A and D northwest and southeast of Jeffrey Reservoir) for several consecutive days, and they are steadily containing the fire within hand-constructed fireline. National Guard Black Hawk helicopters from Nebraska and Iowa remain on the incident. They assist the ground crews daily by dropping water on hotspots and flare-ups, cooling the flames enough to allow firefighters with hand tools to extinguish the flames even further.

Morrill Fire: Fire behavior on the Morrill Fire Sunday was minimal. Scattered vegetation and underground heat sources continue to smolder. However, crews patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter reported observing very few hotspots generating smoke. In the uncontained portion of Division KK, a drone equipped with infrared sensors detected some scattered heat in the cottonwood groves of the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area. While fire managers feel the likelihood of the fire moving out of the cottonwood groves is low, they are not yet considering this area contained. Monday, engine crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire, which has a 400-mile-long perimeter.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A warming and drying trend begins Monday, with critical fire weather conditions peaking Wednesday. Expect strong winds from the south Monday and gusts over 35 mph by the afternoon. Temperature highs could reach the upper 60s. Relative humidity will likely dip to 20-25 percent. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate on the Cottonwood Fire and minimal on the Morrill Fire. No growth is anticipated on either fire. Although weather conditions have moderated since Saturday, soil, duff, and dead and live vegetation remain critically dry. Incident personnel are maintaining a robust presence on both fires and are prepared with personnel and equipment to respond to both expected and unexpected fire behavior. Fire.AirNow.gov is a good source for air-quality information if you are affected by wildfire smoke.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): As of Monday morning, the Morrill Fire TFR is no longer in effect. However, a TFR remains in effect over a portion of the Cottonwood Fire; information is available at tfr.faa.gov. Military and incident aircraft are actively engaged in firefighting support, so we appreciate local aviators' adhering to the flight restriction and reducing aerial traffic around both fires so our air crews remain safe. Remember: If you fly, we can't!

Cottonwood Fire Statistics

• Size: 128,289 acres
• Containment: 96%
• Personnel: 262
• Cause: undetermined

Morrill Fire Statistics

• Size: 642,029 acres
• Containment: 98%
• Personnel: 191
• Cause: undetermined

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