Anderson Bridge

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Anderson Bridge Fire ignited on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Cherry County, Nebraska. The fire originated west of Valentine, south of Kilgore, and north of the Niobrara River, burning into the northeast portion of the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest.
Size and Containment: As of the latest operational updates over the weekend of March 21–22, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 17,400 acres and is currently 80% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has been primarily fueled by tall grass, dry brush, and timber. It spread rapidly upon ignition due to extreme fire weather conditions, including sustained high winds and critically low humidity.
Containment Efforts: Firefighters have made significant progress over the last 72 hours, utilizing unmanned aerial systems (drones) to identify and target remaining hot spots. Unified efforts involve local volunteer fire departments, the Nebraska National Guard, and federal resources. On Sunday, March 22, Governor Jim Pillen, Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton, and NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis visited the Valentine Fire Department to meet with first responders and coordinate ongoing recovery and containment efforts.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: While initial evacuations were ordered for surrounding rural areas when the fire broke out, immediate residential evacuation orders have largely been lifted as containment has increased. Residents are advised to remain on high alert due to ongoing red flag weather conditions.
Evacuation Warnings: Areas immediately surrounding the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest remain under high alert.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Displaced individuals and affected agricultural producers can access recovery resources through the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest: The USDA Forest Service has issued a strict closure order (Forest Order: #02-07-01-26-04) for the entire Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest to ensure the safety of the public and responding fire crews.
• Local roads accessing the forest, including portions off Anderson Bridge Road, remain restricted to non-essential travel to allow firefighters room to work and maneuver heavy equipment.

For more information, visit:

• Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
• Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) - 511
• USDA Forest Service - Nebraska National Forests Alerts

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported fatalities or severe injuries specifically attributed to the Anderson Bridge Fire.
Structures Impacted: The fire has caused extensive damage to agricultural infrastructure, including the destruction of summer grazing rangeland and miles of fencing. At least one home and several outbuildings were reported damaged during the fire's initial spread.
School and Business Closures: The Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is completely closed to all recreation and business operations.
Notable Impacts: The fire has severely impacted local ranchers and agricultural producers in Cherry County, destroying vital forage and displacing livestock. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and state officials are actively coordinating response efforts and agricultural relief for affected producers.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: High winds that sparked the fire initially caused localized power disruptions; utility crews continue to repair damaged infrastructure in the burn scar.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but agricultural water supplies in the burn area are being monitored.
Burn Bans: Governor Jim Pillen has issued a strict statewide burn ban that will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Air Quality: Smoke, blowing dust, and ash from the burn scar continue to pose respiratory risks. Residents with health issues are advised to stay indoors when smoke is visible.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters have achieved 80% containment. Crews continue to patrol the perimeter, mop up hot spots, and conduct suppression repair. However, officials caution that the fire's interior may continue to smolder and produce smoke, and interior flare-ups are expected.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The region is facing a dangerous weather pattern. The National Weather Service has issued extended Red Flag Warnings for central and western Nebraska. The area is experiencing record-breaking, unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s, combined with critically low relative humidity (10-15%) and wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph. These conditions threaten to test existing containment lines and make the environment highly susceptible to new ignitions.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The exact cause of the Anderson Bridge Fire remains under investigation, though initial reports suggest it may have been sparked when historic high winds knocked down a power pole in a canyon.
Weather and Climate: The fire's explosive growth was entirely driven by extreme weather and climate conditions. A prolonged dry spell left vegetation critically parched. The outbreak was triggered by a severe wind event on March 12, and the ongoing unseasonably hot, dry, and windy conditions—challenging all-time temperature records for the month of March—continue to exacerbate fire danger across the Great Plains.

For more information, visit:

• Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
• Nebraska Department of Agriculture Disaster Resources
• USDA Forest Service - Nebraska National Forests Alerts