South Fork Fire in northwest Nebraska more than half contained

A wildfire that’s been burning in northwest Nebraska since last Tuesday is more than half contained, with some areas still under evacuation orders.

The South Fork Fire in Sioux and Dawes counties has now burned nearly 39,000 acres.

In an update Monday morning, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 said crews have fire lines established around the entire fire perimeter.

“While this is a significant milestone, the fire is not fully contained, and today’s warmer, drier conditions that include Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Conditions will test those containment lines,” the update read. “As temperatures rise and humidity decreases, the public can expect to see interior smoke from unburned pockets of fuel and remaining hotspots within the fire perimeter.”

The fire was reported at 55% contained as of Monday morning. A level 3 evacuation order remained in place for much of the impacted area, including Fort Robinson State Park. Evacuation orders were lifted for some areas southwest and northeast of the fire’s perimeter.

Weather conditions aren’t expected to make things easier for firefighters.

The National Weather Service reported a red flag warning is in effect from noon until 9 p.m. MT Monday for the area where the fire is burning, with wind gusts up to 30 mph possible with humidity falling to around 13%. A fire weather watch continues for the area until 9 p.m. MT Tuesday.

Around 581 personnel are battling the fire. Crews have been actively working the area immediately south of Highway 20, and asked the public to not stop in the area.