By Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
Initial Attack: Despite being on call and ready to respond to new fires overnight, the incident’s initial-attack groups were not requested to assist with any new wildfires. The potential for dry lightning last night did not materialize, and no new wildfires were detected or local resources did not require assistance.
With containment nearly 100 percent on the Johnson Hills Fire, near Bertrand, the two initial-attack groups and Black Hawk helicopters that assisted local volunteer fire departments for two days have been released and are available as needed.
To support local volunteer fire departments with the initial suppression of new wildfires, Rocky Mountain CIMT 2 has established six initial-attack groups and pre-positioned them across the state (Alliance, Ogallala, North Platte, Broken Bow, and Columbus), which reduces response times when their assistance is requested.
Ashby and Minor Fires: Containment is now 84 percent on the 36,004-acre Ashby Fire and 85 percent on the 14,082-acre Minor Fire. Smoke from within each fire’s interior may occasionally be visible as a few remaining hotspots continue to smolder. As containment is nearly 100 percent, operations managers will align the number of resources staffing the fires with current conditions and the needs of the initial-attack groups.
Cottonwood Fire: Continuous cloud cover Monday afternoon reduced fire activity and smoke production within the fire’s interior where pockets of unburned vegetation remain. Firefighters continue to directly suppress interior flare-ups that are safely accessible and threatening values at risk. The Cottonwood Fire is 129,253 acres and 100 percent contained.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Cooler conditions arrive Tuesday following the passage of an overnight cold front. Expect afternoon temperatures around 50 degrees. Relative humidity levels will decrease through the day to the teens. Overnight gusty winds will dissipate, with gusts up to only 23 mph likely most of the day. Because the vegetation is historically dry, any new fires that may start could exhibit active fire behavior Tuesday despite conditions briefly being cooler and moister Monday night.