Morrill Fire in western Nebraska is now the biggest wildfire in the state's history - 0% containment as of Monday morning

A massive wildfire burning in western Nebraska has become the largest wildfire ever recorded in the state.

The blaze, known as the Morrill Fire, has burned nearly 600-thousand acres since igniting on March 12 in Morrill County.

Fire officials say the fast-moving wildfire traveled more than 70 miles in less than 12 hours shortly after it started, prompting evacuations and forcing farmers to activate irrigation systems in an effort to slow the flames.

Jim Pillen, governor of Nebraska, has issued an emergency proclamation and a statewide burn ban as firefighters battle the Morrill Fire and another large blaze, the Cottonwood Fire, which has burned more than 121-thousand acres southeast of Morrill.

In total, four major fires are currently burning across the state following more than two dozen fire starts over the past week.

Much of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge has already burned. The refuge sits within the Nebraska Sandhills, considered one of the largest remaining intact native prairie ecosystems in the world.

Researchers say the area is extremely vulnerable right now because vegetation moisture levels are historically low, leaving tall grass and red cedar trees highly flammable.

Strong winds, dry weather, and warmer temperatures expected later this week could allow the fires to spread further, even though some areas have recently seen snow and single-digit temperatures.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency is providing updates on the fires, while the Salvation Army Western Division has begun raising funds to assist communities impacted by the disaster.

A specialized wildfire management team has taken command of firefighting efforts on the massive Morrill Fire burning in western Nebraska.

The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 assumed control Saturday evening of both the Morrill Fire and the nearby Cottonwood Fire.

Officials say the team includes local, state and federal personnel from Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Incident management teams are typically brought in when fires grow more complex and require additional coordination and resources.

The fire remains active as of this (Monday) morning, (March 16th) with 0% containment. Just over 572,000 acres have burned so far, making this the largest wildfire in Nebraska history and the 5th-largest in U.S. history. A downed power line near Angora on Thursday, March 12, is the source for the cause of the fire. Fire weather watches remain in effect for the area for a good portion of the week.

Photo courtesy of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency