A new vegetation fire broke out late Saturday afternoon south of McCook. Based on initial reports, the fire started about four miles south of McCook on the west side of South Highway 83, then jumped the highway and moved east. 

Responding departments include, but not limited to, Decatur County, Red Willow Western Rural Fire, Cambridge, Culbertson, and Danbury. 

McCook was under a Red Flag Warning on Saturday, along with the whole state of Nebraska, with the National Weather Service warning that low humidity, warm temperatures, and wind could lead to extreme fire behavior.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774141313687.jpeg" alt="McCook, Ne fire, March 21, 2026 (Natasha Watts)" />
                        <figcaption>McCook, Ne fire, March 21, 2026 (Natasha Watts)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>A new vegetation fire broke out late Saturday afternoon south of McCook. Based on initial reports, the fire started about four miles south of McCook on the west side of South Highway 83, then jumped the highway and moved east. </p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774141374558.jpeg" alt="Several area rural fire departments responded to a vegetation fire 4 miles south of McCook on Saturday. (Natasha Watts)" />
                        <figcaption>Several area rural fire departments responded to a vegetation fire 4 miles south of McCook on Saturday. (Natasha Watts)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Responding departments include, but not limited to, Decatur County, Red Willow Western Rural Fire, Cambridge, Culbertson, and Danbury. </p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774141480010.jpeg" alt="Culbertson EMS on site for McCook, Ne Vegetation Fire March 21, 2026. (Natasha Watts)" />
                        <figcaption>Culbertson EMS on site for McCook, Ne Vegetation Fire March 21, 2026. (Natasha Watts)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>McCook was under a Red Flag Warning on Saturday, along with the whole state of Nebraska, with the National Weather Service warning that low humidity, warm temperatures, and wind could lead to extreme fire behavior.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2159445758130608%2F&show_text=true&width=219&t=0" width="219" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Crews Respond to Vegetation Fire South of McCook After Flames Cross Highway 83 During Statewide Fire Weather Warning