Cottonwood Fire map & updates
The Cottonwood Fire burned in Lincoln County, NE (5 Miles SW from Brady, NE). Final reported size 129,253 acres, 100% contained.
Cottonwood Fire map
Shaded area: the latest mapped fire perimeter (2026-03-26). Dot: point of origin. Sources: NIFC WFIGS incident record and interagency perimeters. Official evacuation orders come from the county — this map doesn't show them.
Where is the Cottonwood Fire?
| Nearest cities | Distance from origin |
|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 109 mi |
| Lincoln, NE | 196 mi |
| Salina, KS | 205 mi |
| Greeley, CO | 226 mi |
| Cheyenne, WY | 229 mi |
| Omaha, NE | 233 mi |
Straight-line distance from the point where the fire started, protecting agency: SFS.
Timeline
- Discovered — March 15, 2026
- Latest mapped perimeter — March 26, 2026
- Record last updated — March 27, 2026
Other Nebraska fires in 2026
Questions
Where is the Cottonwood Fire?
In Lincoln County, NE, 5 Miles SW from Brady, NE. The nearest city in our list is Grand Island, NE, about 109 miles from where the fire started.
How big is the Cottonwood Fire?
129,253 acres (about 202 square miles) by the latest reported size.
Is the Cottonwood Fire contained?
It was reported 100% contained.
What caused the Cottonwood Fire?
The cause is recorded as undetermined. Causes often stay undetermined until the investigation closes.
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