Wildfire in Arthur, Nebraska

Fire initiated during the early afternoon hours of March 12th east of Angora in Morrill County. Aided by 50 MPH winds, the fire tracked east of Garden County and spread across southwestern Arthur County. By the time the fire was contained on March 28th, approximately 64,590 acres of rangeland was consumed in the fire. The fire resulted in one fatality in southwestern Arthur County. One primary residence was destroyed, along with 6 outbuildings damaged in the fire. Two calf-cow pairs were lost in the fire in Arthur 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.