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

Central Community College adds three new sports programs

'So much at stake': Huskers get set to battle Hawkeyes in Sweet 16

Houston bars load up on Busch Light, ahead of Nebraska-Iowa Sweet 16 tilt

Norfolk hospital and health system rebrands as Faith Health

Man accepts plea deal in Columbus shooting that killed stepfather

New housing development in Hartington opens doors for first-time homeowners

State

Pillen issues emergency orders as wildfires continue across Nebraska

Lightning suspected cause of two new fires in Nebraska sandhills

Lightning suspected cause of two new fires in Nebraska sandhills

Central Community College adds three new sports programs

'So much at stake': Huskers get set to battle Hawkeyes in Sweet 16

Houston bars load up on Busch Light, ahead of Nebraska-Iowa Sweet 16 tilt

Norfolk hospital and health system rebrands as Faith Health

Man accepts plea deal in Columbus shooting that killed stepfather

New housing development in Hartington opens doors for first-time homeowners

State

Pillen issues emergency orders as wildfires continue across Nebraska

Lightning suspected cause of two new fires in Nebraska sandhills

Chadron-area ranchers who lost cattle in 2013 blizzard help Amish impacted by Sandhills fire

Nebraska Legislature advances state budget after multiple attempts

Namuth announces retirement after 25 years leading the Cheyenne County Community Center

High Burn Danger Resurfacing

Sports

Colorado sports notes: Nikola Jokic has 23 points, knocks down late bucket to send Nuggets over Suns 125-123

Colorado sports notes: Rockies begin franchise makeover under the front office leadership of Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes

Creighton coach Greg McDermott announces retirement after 16 seasons; Alan Huss will succeed him

Greg McDermott announces retirement from Creighton basketball program

WNCC softball splits with Miles on Sunday

Eagles notes: Four Chadron State entries place at Gillette Rodeo

Ag & Outdoor

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

Outdoor notes: Temporary closure of Clear Creek WMA for safety

‘Worst-case scenario’: Fertilizer, fuel cost spikes hitting Nebraska farmers hard

Outdoor notes: Haag shares 100 years of Nebraskaland

Supplementing dryland wheat and irrigated corn with proso millet in drought years

Nebraska Extension to host March 17 Webinar on Confinement Feeding Cow-calf Pairs