Nebraska wildfire response and agricultural relief

Following devastating wildfires in Nebraska, legislative and administrative efforts have focused on both long-term preparedness and immediate relief for agricultural producers.

To improve future response capabilities, Senator Pete Ricketts introduced the PREPARE Act, a pilot program designed to preposition aerial firefighting resources during early-season conditions. This initiative is supported by the Nebraska Forest Service and aims to protect ranches and communities across five states.

In terms of immediate aid, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency has expanded emergency forage access through the Conservation Reserve Program, allowing landowners to provide haying or grazing rights to affected livestock producers without losing contract payments. Additionally, the agency has extended the application deadline to October 26 for the Emergency Conservation Program in several Nebraska counties—including Arthur, Garden, and Grant—that were impacted by fires such as the Morrill and Cottonwood fires. This program offers technical assistance and cost-sharing of up to 75% to help producers restore land to pre-disaster conditions.