Nebraska National Guard Aids Firefighters in Battling Wildfires

Guard troops provide crucial helicopter support as changing weather conditions pose ongoing challenges

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:22am

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The Nebraska National Guard has deployed 47 soldiers and airmen to assist local fire crews in battling wildfires across western and central Nebraska. The largest wildfire, the Morrill Fire, is now 18% contained, while the Cottonwood Fire is 40% contained. The Guard has provided two Blackhawk helicopters with Bambi bucket attachments to deliver large quantities of water, and the Iowa National Guard has also sent two Blackhawk helicopters in support. However, the ever-changing weather, including high winds and chances of increased temperatures with little rain, continues to pose an ongoing threat.

Why it matters

Wildfires can cause significant damage to natural resources, infrastructure, and communities in rural Nebraska. The National Guard's support is crucial in helping local fire crews contain the blazes and mitigate the impact on ranchers and other residents.

The details

The Nebraska National Guard has deployed 47 soldiers and airmen to assist local fire crews in battling wildfires across western and central Nebraska. The Guard has provided two Blackhawk helicopters with Bambi bucket attachments, which can deliver 760 gallons of water at a time. The Iowa National Guard has also sent two Blackhawk helicopters to support the firefighting efforts. The Guard is in constant communication with ground crews to coordinate water drops in the areas most needed.

  • On Friday, March 18, 2026, Gov. Jim Pillen signed an emergency declaration deploying the Nebraska National Guard troops.
  • The Morrill Fire is currently 18% contained, while the Cottonwood Fire is 40% contained.

The players

Nebraska National Guard

The state's military force that has been deployed to assist local fire crews in battling wildfires across western and central Nebraska.

Lt. Col. Dustin Wilkie

An officer in the Nebraska Army National Guard who has provided details on the Guard's support efforts.

Iowa National Guard

The neighboring state's military force that has sent two additional Blackhawk helicopters to support the firefighting efforts in Nebraska.

Gov. Jim Pillen

The governor of Nebraska who signed an emergency declaration on Friday, March 18, 2026, deploying the Nebraska National Guard troops.

Nebraska Forest Service

The state agency that has reported on the containment status of the Morrill and Cottonwood Fires.

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What they’re saying

“The more the fire grows, you know, uncontained, the more damage to the resources of, in this case, the ranchers and potential damage to infrastructure. So, it's good to get as much as you can out there, but also temper it with what's required versus looking at the long-term impacts with weather forecasts coming up.”

— Lt. Col. Dustin Wilkie, Nebraska Army National Guard

“We're in constant communication with ground elements, and they're telling us where they want the water dropped, but the speed of that 760 gallons of water, the speed of which we can deliver it.”

— Lt. Col. Dustin Wilkie, Nebraska Army National Guard

“It's a high chance that this continues or other outbreaks with fire occur. And we just need to make sure that we have the assets in place to be ready.”

— Lt. Col. Dustin Wilkie, Nebraska Army National Guard

“You need that whole community of support for our folks to make this work, and as Nebraskans, we've been blessed with great support networks to do that.”

— Lt. Col. Dustin Wilkie, Nebraska Army National Guard

What’s next

The Nebraska National Guard will continue to provide aerial support to local fire crews as they work to contain the wildfires in western and central Nebraska. The Guard's efforts will be crucial in the coming days and weeks as the region faces ongoing challenges from the changing weather conditions.

The takeaway

The deployment of the Nebraska National Guard to assist local firefighters highlights the important role the Guard plays in supporting communities during natural disasters and emergencies. Their aerial support and coordination with ground crews is crucial in helping to mitigate the damage caused by the wildfires and protect the livelihoods of ranchers and other residents in the affected areas.