Dramatic aerial footage captured by Nebraska State Patrol trooper pilots reveals the enormous scale of fast-moving wildfires tearing across western Nebraska. The videos, recorded during survey flights on March 13, 2026, show vast stretches of burning grassland and thick plumes of smoke spreading across the plains as strong winds and extremely dry conditions fuel the fires’ rapid expansion.

The fires erupted following an escaped prescribed burn on March 12, which quickly spread beyond control amid gusty winds and low humidity levels. Within hours, flames moved across large sections of open land, forcing emergency responders to mobilize firefighting resources and prompting evacuations in nearby communities.

Among the most significant blazes is the Morrill Fire, which has already become one of the largest wildfires recorded in Nebraska’s history. Authorities report that the fire alone has burned more than 572,000 acres, contributing to a combined wildfire footprint exceeding 600,000 acres across the region.

Aerial footage released by the Nebraska State Patrol shows sweeping views of the fires from above, with smoke columns rising high into the atmosphere and fire lines stretching across miles of terrain. Trooper pilots conducted the flights to help emergency managers assess fire behavior, identify hotspots, and coordinate the movement of firefighting crews on the ground.