Nebraska Fires 2026: 36,000 Acres Scorched, Farnam Under Evacuation, Red Flag Warning Active Through Saturday

Nebraska is burning. Dozens of fast-moving wildfires tore across the state Thursday and Friday, fueled by 74 mph wind gusts, critical drought conditions, and red flag warnings covering much of the Cornhusker State. The largest fire has scorched nearly 36,000 acres across four counties, the town of Farnam remains under an active evacuation order this morning, and firefighters warn the weekend could bring another round of dangerous fire weather.

Farnam Evacuation Order STILL IN EFFECT Friday Morning

The evacuation order for the community of Farnam in far southwest Dawson County, issued at 9:02 PM Thursday, is still in effect as of 8:00 AM Friday, March 13. Dawson County Emergency Manager Brian Woldt confirmed the fire is still burning to the north and west of Farnam, and a determination on whether to lift the evacuation will be made later Friday morning. Citizens have been instructed to drive east to Eustis and seek shelter, where Frontier County officials are on scene to assist. Farnam's own fire hall is being used as a staging base for firefighting crews battling the surrounding blazes.

Nebraska's Largest Fire: 36,000 Acres Across Thomas, Custer, Logan, and Blaine Counties

The largest fire burned across Thomas, Custer, Logan, and Blaine counties, scorching nearly 36,000 acres by midnight Thursday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Nebraska Forest Service described the blaze as roughly 15 miles wide. Residents of Dunning were initially told to leave, though the fire later shifted south and moved away from the village.

In Cherry County, a separate fire consumed an estimated 2,000 acres. It started south of Kilgore and advanced toward The Prairie Club golf resort near Valentine. Highway 97 was shut down in both directions around the resort and the surrounding area was evacuated.

Where Fires Are Burning Across Nebraska Right Now

Fires were reported across multiple regions Thursday and into Friday morning, including central Nebraska, the Sandhills, southeast Nebraska, and the Nebraska Panhandle. Major fire locations included northern Gage County near Beatrice — where flames forced the closure of U.S. Highway 77 for several hours — Jefferson County near Fairbury, Lincoln County near Cottonwood Road, southwest Lancaster County near Denton and Crete, and the Panhandle where fire spread from Morrill County toward Garden County.

As of Thursday afternoon, multiple fires were burning simultaneously in Seward, Fillmore, Saline, Jefferson, Gage, and Lancaster counties. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office reported at least four different fires in the western part of the county alone.

74 MPH Wind Gusts Fueled the Firestorm Thursday

Multiple large grass fires pushed across Nebraska into Thursday evening as wind gusts topped 74 mph. Red flag warnings covered the entire state as dry vegetation, critically low humidity, and violent winds combined to create catastrophic fire behavior.

Kearney Fire Administrator Jason Whalen described the situation as extremely concerning, noting the dry and windy conditions and warning that red flag conditions would return again Friday. A fire in Howard County earlier in the week stretched over six miles long, a preview of what was to come statewide on Thursday.

Red Flag Warning: Active Right Now Through Saturday Evening

A red flag warning from the National Weather Service is in place for Kimball, Banner, Scotts Bluff, Cheyenne, and portions of Sioux and Morrill counties until 6:00 PM MDT Saturday, with the agency warning that any fires that develop will spread rapidly.

The National Weather Service office in Hastings warned Friday morning that Saturday could bring conditions close to critical fire weather again. Sunday may offer some relief in the form of cold, windy weather and light snow, though that wind brings its own risk. Highway closures remain in effect across 47 miles of road, and details on property losses and other damage have not yet been released.

How to Help: Emergency Shelters and What Residents Should Do

The North Platte Recreation Center and Brady School are offering shelter options for displaced residents. Brady Public Schools canceled classes Friday due to wildfire impacts on staff and families.

All Nebraska residents in fire-prone areas should avoid all outdoor burning immediately, keep vehicles off dry vegetation, ensure no trailer chains are dragging, and follow any evacuation orders from local emergency management without delay. Conditions can change in minutes under red flag conditions, and fires can outrun vehicles in open grassland terrain.