Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

Nebraskans helping Nebraskans.

Gov. Jim Pillen, in partnership with NDOT and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, is launching the Nebraska Wildfire Hay Recovery Program as part of ongoing efforts to support ranchers impacted by historic wildfires. The program allows hay harvested from eligible state highway rights-of-way to be donated to ranchers and help them continue operations.

Learn more: https://ndot.info/ef1621

PLEASE SHARE. Critical fire weather conditions continue across western and central Nebraska through the rest of today and into tomorrow. Low humidity, strong winds, and additional fire weather concerns expected Tuesday and Wednesday, including northerly wind gusts up to 45 mph, will create conditions where any fire that starts can spread rapidly.

Nebraska has already seen roughly 1 million acres burn this year. With grasses and other fuels remaining receptive to fire, now is the time to avoid outdoor burning, use extra caution with equipment that can create sparks, and continue checking any recent debris or pile burns for holdover heat.

One spark is all it takes.

South Fork Fire Update June 16, 2026

Current evacuations remain the same as yesterday; there are no changes.

For their own safety and that of fire crews, the public is urged not to stop on Hwy. 20 in areas where firefighters are working.

South Fork Fire Update June 15, 2026
South Fork Fire Nebraska

For their own safety and that of fire crews, the public is urged not to stop on Hwy. 20 in areas where firefighters are working.
Evacuation levels have not changed today. Please consult the attached evacuation summary.

Phone (public and media inquiries): 308-775-5438
Email: [email protected]
Linktree: linktr.ee/2026southforkfire

4:30PM 6/14 - Warm, dry, and windy conditions will return tomorrow and continue through Wednesday, keeping wildfire danger very high for our area. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for 12 PM to 9PM Monday, and a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for 12 PM Tuesday through 9PM Wednesday. The strongest winds are expected on Wednesday.

June 14th, 3 AM - A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for portions of southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska from Noon to 9 PM Monday. Breezy, northwesterly winds coupled with low afternoon humidity will lead to favorable conditions for rapid fire starts and spread. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

South Fork Fire Nebraska

SAFETY REMINDER!

While fire activity may appear reduced in some areas, that does not mean the area is safe to enter.

Please continue to avoid areas with active fire activity, firefighting operations, and recently burned areas (the black). Fire crews are encountering members of the public in unsafe locations, parked along the roadway, particularly within the fire perimeter south of Highway 20. Please do not stop, keep moving and this area still remains CLOSED.

Even in areas that appear quiet, significant heat can remain beneath the surface for days. Hazards such as hot spots, falling trees, rolling debris, heavy equipment, and ongoing firefighting operations continue to pose serious risks.

For your safety and the safety of firefighters working in the area, please stay out of closed and burned areas and avoid interfering with fire operations. Help us help you stay safe.

Image from Nebraska Department of Transportation/Nebraska 511 Travel Information Map. https://www.511.nebraska.gov/

South Fork Fire Evacuation Status Update June 14, 2026

As noted in the Daily Update, this will serve as today's evacuation status update.

Please find attached the current Evacuation Flyer, Map, and here is the link for the South Fork Fire Interactive Evacuation Map, https://tinyurl.com/SouthForkEvacMap.

Any new evacuation orders or changes that increase an area's evacuation level will be communicated separately as they occur. Please review the current evacuation statuses below and be prepared to take the appropriate actions for your area.

*As of this morning, some areas have been downgraded one level.*

🔴 GO (Leave Now)
• Areas west of Dodd Road and south of Cottonwood Road to Highway 20

🟡 SET (Be Prepared to Leave)
• Residents south of Highway 20 to 4 Mile Road in Sioux County and Fort Robinson in Dawes County
• Area south of Highland Road, west from Cottonwood Road to Highway 20, then back east to Cottonwood Road

🟢 READY (Be Ready)
• Residents within the City of Crawford
• Areas north and west of the fire from Toadstool Road west to Orella Road, to Hat Creek Road, to Pants Butte Road, south to Highway 20, and north of Highland and Cottonwood Roads

✅ EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED
• Residents northwest of Crawford and south of Forest Service Road 928, west of Highway 2/71 to Toadstool Road
• The area south of Highway 20, west and north of White River Road, and east of Andrews Road

As conditions continue to change, residents are encouraged to stay alert, monitor official information sources, and be prepared to take action if evacuation statuses change. For address specific evacuation status and maps, please use the South Fork Fire Interactive Evacuation Map, https://tinyurl.com/SouthForkEvacMap.

South Fork Fire Update June 14, 2026

A daily evacuation summary will be provided separately.
This update will be fire operations focused.

Fire perimeter is 37,010.1 acres per NFIC and containment is 42%.