Two Nebraska villages evacuated as new wildfires ignite in Grant County
By Scott Koperski 
, Digital News Content Producer, Nebraska Public Media
March 26, 2026, noon ·
Two villages in Nebraska were ordered to evacuate Thursday as wildfires spread in west-central Nebraska.
The Ashby and Minor fires have burned more than 65,000 acres in Grant County, which border the area of the now-contained Morrill Fire. The villages of Hyannis and Ashby were ordered to evacuate Thursday morning.
The Ashby Fire, which started near the community of Ashby and is approximately 43,600 acres, quickly spread south and has burned into the area already burned by the Morrill Fire northeast of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Minor Fire, south of the community of Hyannis and approximately 22,500 acres, is moving south toward Arthur County and the Morrill Fire.
Four Nebraska and Iowa National Guard Black Hawk helicopters are working the Ashby Fire, and three single-engine air tankers are working the Minor Fire.
Gov. Jim Pillen ordered state assets to assist with the fires in the area.
I have ordered state assets to the Ashby and Hyannis areas in Grant County to support local firefighters dealing with a new wildfire that started overnight. Folks should follow all evacuation orders issued by local authorities and be mindful of Highway 2 closures.
— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) March 26, 2026
Fellow… https://t.co/qJYPpUTG0U
Also on Thursday Pillen extended the statewide burn ban that was implemented two weeks ago. The ban will now be in place until April 10. Another order will increase the maximum load limits allowed for commercial motor carriers delivering feed and other supplies under the ongoing wildfire emergency.
Record-setting wildfires started two weeks ago and have collectively burned more than 800,000 acres in Nebraska.
The largest of the fires, the Morrill Fire, burned nearly 650,000 acres in Morrill, Garden, Grant, Arthur and Keith counties.
The fire was deemed 100% contained Tuesday evening, but the relief was short lived with two new fires starting Thursday.
Pillen issued emergency declarations for the counties affected by the Morrill Fire, as well as those affected by the Cottonwood and Anderson Bridge fires.
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, which led efforts fighting the Morrill Fire, is assisting with both the Ashby and Minor fires at Pillen's request.
Hyannis Area Schools canceled class and opened the school for those needing a place to seek shelter.
The National Weather Service reported Thursday morning that gusty winds could create critical fire weather conditions for parts of Nebraska, with temperatures colling down to end the week.