Over the last several days, we have been reminded how quickly life can change. Across Nebraska, wildfires are tearing through more than 800,000 acres and counting. Grasslands are turning to ash. Families are being forced to evacuate. Ranchers are watching fences burn and livestock scatter. And tragically, we have lost at least one life.
For those of us who live around cattle and open land, the impact is deeply personal. Family farms and ranches are the result of years of work, generations of knowledge, and often represents a family’s entire livelihood. When fire moves across that landscape, it takes more than grass with it.
First responders, volunteers, and members of the Nebraska National Guard are working around the clock to contain fast-moving flames. Fire crews are standing shoulder to shoulder with neighbors who are bringing water tanks, tractors, and whatever else they can spare. Amid such significant destruction, I also want to recognize the extraordinary response from the people who have stopped this disaster from wreaking even more havoc.
Support is also coming from beyond our state lines. Teams from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service have deployed crews, engines, and aviation resources to assist state and local firefighters battling these blazes. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has been engaged in the response as federal agencies coordinate with Nebraska officials to provide aid and flexibility for affected ranchers. And our neighbors in the Iowa National Guard are providing us with support and resources as we fight the largest fire in our state’s history.
For producers whose pastures, livestock, or infrastructure are damaged, the coming weeks will be difficult. Recovery after a wildfire takes time. Fences must be rebuilt. Grazing plans must change. And in many cases, entire seasons of work must be reconsidered.
That’s why documentation now matters so much. Once it is safe, farmers and ranchers impacted by these fires should take the time to photograph damage, record livestock losses, and keep receipts for destroyed feed, fencing, or other materials. Those records can make a critical difference when applying for disaster assistance through the Farm Service Agency. Federal disaster programs can help with livestock losses, farmland damage, and emergency loans, but the process works best when producers have clear records of what was lost. You can learn more about these assistance programs at fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/disaster-assistance-programs. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has also compiled a comprehensive resource list for farmers and ranchers impacted by these wildfires. I encourage all those affected to visit it at nda.nebraska.gov/disasterresources.
Of course, government programs can only go so far. The real strength of Nebraska has always been its people. The same neighbors who are helping fight these fires will also be there for the long recovery — helping mend fences, sharing pasture when they can, and showing up when someone needs a hand. And the same neighborly kindness will be all the more important as we mourn the loss of a fellow Nebraskan.
Wildfires leave scars on the land. Anyone who has driven across burned prairie knows how stark it looks at first. But the prairie also has a remarkable ability to recover. Given time, rain, and care, green shoots return. Nebraska will, too.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.