Nebraska Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Nebraska - July 13, 2026

Overview

Nebraska is currently experiencing an elevated fire risk driven by a severe heat wave and critical fire weather conditions across the state. Following a historic and devastating early wildfire season this past spring—which saw the record-breaking Morrill Fire burn over 640,000 acres—the landscape remains vulnerable. High temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty winds have prompted critical fire weather alerts, putting local and state resources on high alert for rapid initial attack.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, fire activity has been relatively light in terms of acreage, but new starts have been recorded. Firefighters are actively suppressing these new ignitions to prevent them from spreading in the extreme heat. The potential for new significant wildfires to start is elevated due to the current weather pattern and dry vegetation.

Key Fires:

• Corkscrew Fire: Started on July 10, 2026, this fire is currently estimated at 30 acres. Firefighters responded quickly to limit its spread and are monitoring the perimeter.
• Buffalo Corral Fire: Also ignited on July 10, 2026, this fire was successfully held to approximately 1 acre.
• High Point and Edgemont Road Fires: Both started just prior to the 72-hour window on July 6 and have been kept to under 5 acres each.

These recent fires are primarily being fueled by critical dry fuels, including tinder-dry prairie grass, rangeland vegetation, and agricultural brush, which are highly receptive to ignition under current conditions.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management:
Due to the extreme heat and active Red Flag Warnings, outdoor burning is strongly discouraged and not recommended across the region. Local agencies and the National Weather Service advise against any activities that could produce sparks. Land management teams are currently focused on monitoring, patrol, and rapid response rather than conducting prescribed burns.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A dangerous heat wave is spreading across the Plains, with daily highs in Nebraska soaring into the mid-to-upper 90s and some areas climbing over 100 degrees. High evapotranspiration (often referred to as "corn sweat") is driving dew points higher, pushing heat index values to extreme and dangerous levels.
Forecasted Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 8:00 PM MDT Monday, July 13, for the Pine Ridge Nebraska National Forest and several surrounding fire weather zones (including zones 417, 418, 423, and 430 through 434). Conditions feature south winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, and relative humidity dropping to between 10 and 15 percent. Any fires that develop in this environment will likely spread rapidly. Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat risk for northwest Nebraska, which will persist throughout the week.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are urged to strictly avoid outdoor burning and exercise extreme caution with vehicles, trailers, and equipment that could spark a wildfire. Due to the extreme heat risk, it is also critical to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during peak heating hours, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters and emergency management agencies remain on high alert to ensure rapid response to any new starts. Agencies are continuously monitoring the weather and fuel conditions to ensure resources are positioned effectively across the highest-risk zones.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA): nema.nebraska.gov
National Weather Service HeatRisk: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.