What is the name and location of the wildfire?
As of March 26, 2026, the Road 203 Fire burned in central Nebraska near the communities of Halsey and Dunning within the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands area.
The fire began after activity spread beyond the boundaries of a monitored prescribed burn known as the Chokecherry burn located south of Forest Service Road 203 and west of Forest Service Road 212.
The wildfire expanded across grasslands and rural areas, approaching county lines and moving toward nearby communities as strong winds pushed flames through dry vegetation. Fire crews from numerous departments and the Nebraska Forest Service worked to suppress the fire across the region (1).
Which cities or areas were affected by the Road 203 Fire?
The cities and areas affected by the Road 203 Fire included:
- Brady
- Cozad
- Dunning
- Eustis
- Farnam
- Gothenburg
- Halsey
- Jeffrey Lake area
- Lexington
- Maxwell
These communities and surrounding rural areas experienced wildfire threats, evacuations, or emergency response activity as multiple fires spread across central Nebraska under strong wind and low humidity conditions (2).
What was the containment status of the Road 203 Fire?
As of March 26, 2026, the Road 203 Fire reached 100% containment after burning approximately 35,892 acres.
Firefighters from several dozen departments, along with Nebraska Forest Service personnel, successfully controlled the fire. Strong winds and dry vegetation made firefighting efforts challenging, though cooler evening temperatures provided some temporary relief for crews (3).
Were there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
All evacuations have been lifted. Authorities confirmed that all previously affected residents have been allowed to return home safely.
While the fire is now fully contained, officials continue to monitor the area for any residual hotspots and advise residents to remain cautious during cleanup efforts.
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
As of March 26, 2026, this fire is 100% contained.
