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Nebraska governor calls for vigilance as fires scorch more than 800,000 acres

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen says producers need to be on high alert for additional wildfires and hot spots.

He tells Brownfield farmers and ranchers can do their part to help prevent future disasters. “If you’re out in a field, if you’re out in the pasture, everyone needs to keep a in your side-by-side or your pickup a fire extinguisher. If the wind is blowing 50 mph and something sparks you can keep a bad, bad situation form happening if you just keep a fire extinguisher with you.”  

He says the fire risk is very high for the next several days.

Pillen says some progress has been made controlling on-going incidents. “It’s a very tedious situation that can change at moment’s notice because it’s hot and dry. There are tons of things that can burn, and there are still a lot of hotspots.”

The state’s largest fire, the Morrill County Fire, has burned nearly 643,000 acres and is 16 percent contained. The Cottonwood Fire has covered more than 131,000 acres. Pillen says at least 800,000 acres have been lost since last Thursday. “It’s hard to believe but that’s 35 miles by 35 miles.”

After speaking with cattle producers near Brady on Wednesday, he says there hasn’t been significant reports of livestock loss. “One cattleman (said he) has had some momma cows look good today. Baby calves are on the ground, but some are showing respiratory challenges from the smoke.”

He says most of the damage is to forage and fencing. “What are we going to do because they have no place to take their momma cows? That’s what we’re working on today in addition to repairing fencing. How do we do that so the government can respond?”

He says producers need to immediately document what has been lost.