Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts

South Fork Fire Nebraska Update for Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

Congratulations to our May NRD Recreation Exploration winner! Tamala visited Little Blue Natural Resources District's Lone Star Recreation Area and won a $100 Scheels gift card courtesy of the NARD Foundation.

Submit your visits to NRD Recreation Areas for a chance to win prizes: https://www.nrdnet.org/recreation

Check all the upcoming activities for the Sandhills Ranch Expo in Bassett this week!

Tomorrow at the Sandhills Ranch Expo!
-Wednesday, June 17th
-Community Building Meeting Room (Sandhills Ranch Expo | Rock County Fairgrounds, Bassett, NE)

Sessions on Ranch and Natural Resources
⏰Topic Schedule and speakers:

10:30- 11:30 AM
Alternative Ranch Income - Conservation Programs Carbon Credits & Regenerative Ag Roundtable
-Casey Foster, Jeff Steffen, Jessie Possnecker (Local Producers)

11:30 AM -12:30 PM
Nitrate & Water Quality Update – Nitrate and Health Concerns
-MNNRD/UENRD & Krista Brown-UNMC

12:30-1:00 PM
2026 Weather Outlook
-Eric Hunt, Meteorologist

1:30-2:00 PM
Nitrate Toxicity in Cattle – Screwworm/Asian Longhorn Tick Update
-Becky Funk, Veterinarian

2:00-2:30 PM
Water Quality Task Force – One Red Funding Update – NDWEE Programs
-Brittany Bartak (Yield Plus Ag) & Alexa Davis (NDWEE)

3:00-3:30 PM
Forage Options and Grazing Management During Drought
-Brittany Bartak (Yield Plus Ag) & Mitch Stephensen (UNL)

3:30-4:30 PM
Wildfire Preparedness & Recovery – Rock and Brown County Fuels Reduction Funding & Activities
-Nebraska Forest Service & Mitch Stephensen (UNL)

**Partnership with UNL Extension, Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts (MNNRD, UENRD, and LNNRD) and the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (NDWEE)

Were you or do you know anyone impacted by the 2026 Nebraska wildfires?

Local health departments and the UNMC College of Public Health are partnering to learn directly from residents about their experiences and recovery needs. Assessment teams will be visiting randomly selected households in wildfire-affected areas in central and western Nebraska to conduct voluntary surveys that will help guide future disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.

Participants will receive free water testing and a wildfire cleanup kit. Your voice can help strengthen Nebraska communities and improve future disaster response.

Nebraska Extension in Lincoln, Logan and McPherson Counties

Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District's Flood Control Infrastructure Reduces Damage During Recent Heavy Rainfall Events. Southeast Nebraska Flood Infrastructure Saves more than $1 million in Damages.

Learn more: https://www.nrdnet.org/news/06-12-2026/lower-big-blue-nrd-flood-control-infrastructure-reduces-damage-during-recent-heavy

Follow South Fork Fire Nebraska to check for official updates on the western Nebraska wildfire.

SOUTH FORK FIRE EVACUATIONS, CLOSURES, SHELTER & SMOKE INFORMATION

**NO NEW EVACUATIONS SINCE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10th**

According to Nebraska Emergency Management Region 23, the following evacuation orders remain in effect:

Preliminary Evacuation (Be Ready to Leave)
• Residences south of Highway 20 to 4 Mile Road in Sioux County
• City of Crawford, Nebraska

Evacuation Order (Leave Now)
• Areas north of Crawford including:
• Areas south of Dodd Road
• Areas west of Dodd Road
• Dodd Road at Holmgren Road
• Ponderosa Villa Assisted Living Facility
• Fort Robinson State Park (Dawes County)

Evacuation Destinations: Residents evacuating the area are encouraged to travel to Chadron, Alliance, or Scottsbluff.

Evacuation Shelter Information:Displaced residents are encouraged to take advantage of the American Red Cross evacuation shelter located at Andrews Hall on the Chadron State College campus.

The shelter is providing:
• Two meals per day
• Water and snacks
• A safe place to stay and access support services

Current Closures
• Fort Robinson State Park
• Highway 20

Smoke Impacts: Smoke from the South Fork Fire may impact air quality across the region. Smoke can pose health risks, especially for children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or respiratory conditions.

For information on smoke impacts, air quality, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, visit: https://dwee.nebraska.gov/smoke-and-air-quality

Please avoid all active fire areas and allow firefighters and emergency personnel the space they need to safely conduct operations.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
Nebraska Forest Service
Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands

Nearly 100 NRDs directors and staff, along with state and federal conservation partners, gathered in North Platte June 8-9, 2026, for the annual NRD Basin Tour organized by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) with the Central Platte Natural Resources District, South Platte Natural Resources District and Twin Platte Natural Resources District.

Learn more: https://www.nrdnet.org/news/06-11-2026/nrd-basin-tour-explores-south-platte-basin-perkins-county-canal

This incredible photo was taken by Nebraska Forest Service Fire Management Specialist, Jacob Pittman.

Nebraska Forest Service personnel are actively assisting with suppression efforts on the South Fork Fire in northwestern Nebraska. Staff are supporting incident operations on the ground and in the air, including coordinating Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) missions to help slow fire spread and support firefighters working in challenging terrain.

The South Fork Fire, burning in the Soldier Creek Wilderness area, has grown to nearly 9,000 acres. Firefighters continued suppression efforts overnight, constructing fire lines and strengthening existing containment work. Additional ground and aerial resources are expected to remain engaged throughout the day.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through this evening for eastern Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle due to low relative humidity and gusty winds, creating conditions favorable for rapid fire growth and challenging firefighting operations. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, avoid the fire area, and remain prepared as crews continue working to contain the fire.