2025 Nebraska wildfires | |
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![]() The Plum Creek Fire near Valentine on April 22, 2025. | |
Statistics | |
Total fires | 23 |
Total area | 55,373 |
The 2025 Nebraska wildfires were a series of active wildfires in Nebraska.
Historically, Nebraska’s wildfire season peaked in early to mid-summer, typically from June through September, when hot and dry weather combined with ample grass fuels created conditions conducive to rapid fire spread. [1]
However, recent years have seen notable shifts in this pattern. Officials from the Nebraska Forest Service report that, while historically the "bad fire season" occurred once every five to ten years and was largely confined to Western Nebraska, wildfire activity now begins much earlier—as early as late February—and extends through early winter, effectively turning fire "seasons" into fire years. This trend has stretched resources and transformed wildfire risk across the state. [2]
Contributing factors include warmer winters, drier springs, and increased availability of dry vegetation and fuel load. These conditions have intensified and extended the duration of wildfire hazards statewide. [3] Although specific months for prescribed burns and potential smoke impacts continue to vary, spring (particularly April) has historically seen elevated smoke due to regional controlled burns, while wildfire smoke may occur at any time of year, depending on conditions. [4]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date [a] | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eureka Valley | Custer | 4,800 | February 25 | March 4 | [6] | |
Dismal River Ranch | McPherson, Hooker | 50,000 | February 25 | February 28 | [7] | |
N Maxwell Road | Lincoln | 8,800 | March 26 | March 28 | [8] | |
Dads Lake | Cherry | 18,552 | March 28 | March 29 | [9] | |
Plum Creek | Brown | 7,075 | April 21 | April 30 | Started as a prescribed burn but escaped due to high winds. | [10] |