Grant County Wildfires Force Hurried Evacuations

Ashby resident describes close call as flames approached her home

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:18am

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With evacuation orders looming, some Grant County families had to make split-second decisions about what to grab and when to leave as wildfires threatened their homes. Susan Heisel, an Ashby resident, received a late-night call from her daughter warning about a 'big glow in the sky' before authorities arrived to order an evacuation. Heisel said the flames came close enough to burn trees, fences, and pastureland near her home as they fled.

Why it matters

The Grant County wildfires come as the region continues to recover from the Morrill Fire, which was described as the largest wildfire in Nebraska history. The quick response and continued efforts to contain the new fires highlight the ongoing challenges communities face with increasing wildfire risks due to drought and climate change.

The details

According to fire officials, crews were able to stop the forward progress of both the Ashby and Minor fires, a critical step before containment work can begin. The response was bolstered because resources from earlier fires remained staged in the region, allowing crews to move quickly when the new fires started. Smoke and active flames were still visible in parts of the area on Thursday as crews continued working on both fires.

  • On the night of the evacuation, Heisel received a call from her daughter around 11 p.m. warning about a 'big glow in the sky'.
  • Shortly after the call, Hyannis Fire and Rescue arrived at Heisel's home with orders to evacuate.

The players

Susan Heisel

A resident of Ashby, Nebraska who had to evacuate her home due to the approaching wildfires.

Hyannis Fire and Rescue

The local fire department that arrived at Heisel's home to order an evacuation.

David Boyd

A public affairs officer on the scene of the wildfires, who explained the firefighting efforts to stop the forward progress of the fires.

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What they’re saying

“We got a call from my daughter, who lives on a ranch west of us, and she said, 'Mom, I can see a big glow in the sky, and I'm worried about you guys.'”

— Susan Heisel, Ashby Resident

“If we can get to it, if it's safe, the first thing we're trying to do is stop that fire — the expansion of it.”

— David Boyd, Public Affairs Officer

What’s next

Fire officials said that as of Thursday afternoon, crews had stopped the forward progress of both the Ashby and Minor fires, a key step before containment work can begin.

The takeaway

The Grant County wildfires highlight the ongoing challenges communities face with increasing wildfire risks due to drought and climate change. The quick response and continued efforts to contain the new fires demonstrate the importance of having resources and personnel staged in fire-prone regions to enable rapid deployment when new incidents occur.