Wildfire in Garden, Nebraska

Fire initiated during the early afternoon hours of March 12th east of Angora in Morrill County. Aided by 50 MPH west-northwest winds, the fire entered Garden County. By the time the fire was contained on March 28th, approximately 496,565 acres of rangeland was consumed in the fire. A total of 10 outbuildings and 1 primary residence was destroyed. Livestock losses were estimated at 200 sheep, 10 calves and 200 cattle lost in Garden County.

Fire initiated southeast of Angora Nebraska in eastern Morrill County during the afternoon hours of March 12th. Aided by west-northwest winds, gusting over 50 MPH, fire raced to the east-southeast. By late evening on March 12th, the fire had tracked some 70 miles across Garden County into southwestern Arthur, far southwestern Grant, and northwestern Keith County. By the time the fire was contained on March 28th, 642,029 acres were consumed. The Morrill fire was the largest fire on record in the state of Nebraska. One direct fatality occurred as a result of the fire.