Blaze near Halsey reaches 36,403 acres with zero percent containment.
Firefighters continue working to slow the spread of the Road 203 Fire near Halsey as crews focus on protecting nearby communities and key resources across the Nebraska National Forest.
According to the latest update from Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3, the wildfire has burned 36,403 acres and remains 0% contained.
“At 8:00 a.m. today, March 14, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Road 203 Fire,” the official update states. “Numerous local responders and fire departments worked together during the initial attack of the Road 203 Fire. This cooperation and effort has established a strong foundation for ongoing operations.”
Operations Section Chief Beau Kidd said firefighters are continuing suppression efforts after several days of rapid fire growth.
“Several days ago this fire had rapid fire movement, threatening the towns of Dunning, Halsey, and to a lesser extent, Thedford,” Kidd said during a briefing. “Yesterday’s efforts were focused on getting some equipment in there and some engine support to back that up.”
Aircraft have also been assisting crews on the ground.
“We also used aircraft with retardant and water dropping aircraft from helicopters to support the crews out there,” Kidd said. “Going right on the fire’s edge is what we call direct suppression actions.”
Fire managers say extreme winds over the past two days have caused significant fire activity and growth on the Road 203 Fire.
Firefighters, engines, aircraft and heavy equipment are continuing coordinated suppression operations, including building fire lines and using aerial retardant drops to slow the fire’s spread.
Kidd said one of the main priorities Sunday is the northern portion of the fire.
“There still remains activity out here along the northern front in between Dunning and Halsey,” he said. “And that’s really an area of focus for us today is to get the dozers reengaged, start pushing line, and having the crews back that up with water support.”
Aircraft remain available to assist if needed.
“We do have aircraft available to us today with helicopters, dropping water, and then also the large air tankers if necessary,” Kidd said.
Officials say protecting communities and local resources remains a top priority.
“We’re focused on what we call value at risk and what’s important to the members of the public here, the communities, and our hosting agency on the Nebraska National Forest,” Kidd said. “Those values are obviously the communities of Dunning and Halsey, but also the forage, the rangelands out there. I know that’s an important part of the economics of the communities around here.”
Crews are also monitoring other areas of the fire perimeter.
Kidd said firefighters have established secure line in the northwest portion of the fire but are continuing to patrol the area.
“We don’t want to rest on our laurels,” he said. “We want to be diligent about extinguishing any remaining hot spots out there.”
Crews are also monitoring areas near Thedford and the Highway 83 corridor to ensure the fire does not spread toward homes.
Along the southern portion of the fire, the Dismal River corridor is helping slow the fire’s progress.
“The river and the river bottom vegetation [are] kind of a natural barrier to fire,” Kidd said. “So I feel like that’s in a good secure spot right now.”
Firefighters remain in the area patrolling and monitoring to protect nearby ranches and livestock.
Weather conditions could continue to challenge firefighters.
A red flag warning is in effect with warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds, conditions officials say could increase fire activity.
“Today will be a challenging day,” Kidd said. “But we have the right complement of resources out there to accept any challenges that come our way.”
The Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest remains closed while crews continue fighting the wildfire.