Lightning suspected cause of two new fires in Nebraska sandhills

Two Sandhills wildfires have grown to more than 49,000 acres with no containment. Officials say dry lightning likely sparked the Ashby and Minor fires.

March 26, 2026Updated: March 26, 2026

By News Channel Nebraska

Regional

Mountain lion, prairie-chicken research underway in Nebraska

Wyoming communities want time to consider embracing nuclear energy, as feds rush to expand industry

Motorcyclist dies after crash near Cheyenne intersection

137 million walleye eggs collected during Valentine area spawning

State

Children’s author and illustrator shares creative journey at UNK

Nebraska gambling taxes up $5 million compared to same period last year

Applications being taken for trail grants

Lightning suspected cause of two new fires in Nebraska sandhills

Regional

Mountain lion, prairie-chicken research underway in Nebraska

Wyoming communities want time to consider embracing nuclear energy, as feds rush to expand industry

Motorcyclist dies after crash near Cheyenne intersection

137 million walleye eggs collected during Valentine area spawning

State

Children’s author and illustrator shares creative journey at UNK

Nebraska gambling taxes up $5 million compared to same period last year

Applications being taken for trail grants

Royal Engineered Composites breaks ground on $5M expansion in Minden

Pillen activates Nebraska National Guard amid wildfire risk

Johnson announces retirement as Cheyenne County Commission

Sports

WNCC softball team splits contests with Lamar on Sunday

Lowery, Akins lead Chadron State College to win

Colorado sports notes: Forward Logan O'Connor caps long comeback with a Game 1 goal to help Avalanche hold off Kings 2-1

WNCC softball splits conference games with Lamar

Colorado sports notes: Murray, Jokic lead Nuggets to 116-105 win over Timberwolves in physical opener to 1st-round series

WNCC baseball drops doubleheader to Southeast

Ag & Outdoor

Outdoor notes: Spring shotgun turkey season opens

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep regular lottery applications begin April 20

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Smith Lake WMA Aquatic Habitat Project

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks urges caution when recreating outdoors due to wildfires

Outdoor notes: Temporary closure of Clear Creek WMA for safety