Nebraska Seeks Disaster Declaration After 642,029-Acre Wildfire as Drought Grips 90% of State
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 19
Nebraska Seeks Disaster Declaration After 642,029-Acre Wildfire as Drought Grips 90% of State
5 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 19
Gov. Jim Pillen asked President Donald Trump and FEMA for a major disaster declaration to help cover damage to public infrastructure after Nebraska’s spring wildfires.
The request follows the Morrill Fire — Nebraska’s largest on record at 642,029 acres — and the 129,253-acre Cottonwood Fire, which destroyed grazing land, fences, hay and ranch facilities across western Nebraska.
More than 90% of Nebraska is now in drought, worsening recovery as ranchers wait for rain, clean sand-filled livestock tanks and struggle to rebuild shops and fencing.
At ranches near Oshkosh and Brady, operators said the fires and drought are also disrupting livestock operations, with horses kept in dry lots and breeding cycles affected.
Donations and volunteer aid have arrived from across the U.S., but ranchers said long-term recovery still depends on rainfall as losses spread through Nebraska’s cattle and horse country.
With federal disaster funds dwindling, will Nebraska's ranchers receive the critical aid they need before it is too late?
After record fires scorched the plains, can the unique ecosystem of the Nebraska Sandhills ever fully recover from this devastation?
As Nebraska enters a 'new wildfire era,' can state policies adapt quickly enough to prevent another catastrophic loss?