Friday March 20 2026 - Scanner News

Well, good news with the Morrill Fire update this morning. Firefighter hand crews are at work mopping up and cold trailing. Firefighters have been working the ground methodically on the Clear Creek Wildlife Management area to identify and extinguish any remaining heat sources that could threaten the line. The Clear Creek Management area was impacted during the fire's intense push to the east and south last week along with nearby Omaha Beach. The fire burned through an area of brush and cottonwood trees near the North Platte River. While the act of burning has stopped, the hard work of identifying and eliminating hotspots has been underway for the past few days. Crew members are working together, walking a grid, digging up any roots and stumps that show heat, and use water to extinguish the fire. They also use a method called cold trailing, in which a firefighter feels the soil or wood with the back of a hand to make sure the ground is cold and with no signs of remaining fire. Reports indicate that the Morrill Fire is now 98% contained. You may remember us reporting on an accident that was a fatality near North Platte on I-80 last week on March 12th. We've received confirmation that it was a Scottsbluff man who was blessed and proud as the oldest member of Grace Chapel who has gone to be with the Lord after a distracted driver caused that fatal crash on the 12th. Our prayers and condolences to all the family and friends of Mr. Richard Nuss, 90 of Scottsbluff. An important reminder, it is a state law now in Nebraska that you must move over when you see emergency vehicles. As always, please continue to yield to all emergency personnel.