Firefighters continue working to locate and extinguish hotspots on the Road 203 Fire near Halsey as crews use drones and ground resources to cool remaining heat across the fire area.
According to a Monday update from Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3, the wildfire is now estimated at 35,814 acres and remains 0% contained. The updated acreage reflects revised mapping of the fire perimeter.
Operations were limited Sunday due to cold weather conditions, but fire managers used the time to assess the fire’s current behavior.
“Operations were limited yesterday due to cold weather conditions; however, fire managers were able to assess the fire perimeter and evaluate current conditions,” the update states.
While snow remains on the ground in some areas, officials say heat is still present within parts of the fire.
“While there is snow on the ground in some areas, heat is still present in the duff, and creeping fire behavior has been observed within the fire perimeter,” according to the update. “Groups of cedar trees in some areas of the fire are also still retaining heat.”
To help locate these remaining hotspots, firefighters began using drones equipped with infrared technology.
“Yesterday, firefighters began utilizing UAS (drones) equipped with infrared technology to identify hotspots,” the update states. “This information is relayed to crews on the ground to quickly access and efficiently extinguish those areas of heat.”
Officials say two drone platforms will be operating Monday to assist with the continued suppression effort.
Fire crews are also working to improve access to remote areas of the fire perimeter.
“Crews will continue improving access to several areas of the fire using UTVs, allowing firefighters to focus efforts on cooling remaining hotspots and securing the edge of the fire,” the update states.
A total of 160 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, supported by two aircraft, 24 engines and five heavy equipment units.
Weather conditions will continue to influence firefighting operations in the coming days.
Officials say temperatures Monday are expected to reach the mid-30s, with minimum relative humidity near 21%. Northwest winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 25 miles per hour could still create near-critical fire weather conditions due to the combination of wind and low humidity.
A warming trend is expected to begin Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to climb into the upper 60s and continue rising through the week.
“Although winds are expected to moderate, warming temperatures and dry fuels could lead to more active fire behavior later in the week,” the update states.
The Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest remains closed while crews continue responding to the wildfire.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is also in place over the fire area, and officials remind the public that drones and unauthorized aircraft are not allowed near the fire.
“If you fly, we can’t.”