[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S1064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Nebraska Wildfires

  Mr. RICKETTS. Mr. President, my home State of Nebraska is currently 
experiencing a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions for our 
State. We are experiencing the largest wildfires since Nebraska became 
a State. It started last week. We have a number of fires burning across 
the State that have burned up to 750,000 acres of Nebraska. That is 
over 1 percent, approaching 2 percent of the total land area of my 
State.
  We have had one fatality. Rose Mary White, a grandmother of 12, died 
at her ranch near Arthur, NE. We have also had hundreds, if not 
thousands, of people impacted by these fires.
  I ask all Nebraskans and all Americans to pray for the victims of 
these terrible fires.
  I had the opportunity, with Governor Pillen and Congressman Smith, to 
tour the areas that were burning on Saturday.
  Thank you to all of the firefighters, our volunteer firefighters who 
are first responders on the scene, who worked tirelessly to be able to 
control this fire.
  By the time we arrived on Saturday, they had had little sleep over 
the past several days and were exhausted. At 6 o'clock that night, a 
Federal firefighter team came in to provide relief, and I thank those 
firefighters as well.
  Thank you to our Nebraska National Guardsmen. We have two Black Hawk 
helicopters with Bambi baskets that are on site helping to control the 
fire by dumping water on it from the air. I thank Iowa as well because 
they have also loaned us two helicopters to be able to help out. The 
Governor was calling the fire departments of Omaha and Lincoln and 
Columbus, seeking to get additional firefighter help to be able to 
relieve the volunteers that are working so hard around the clock.
  Nebraska is a great place. We have great community spirit. We saw it 
on full display as people pitched in to be able to help combat these 
fires. But we have a lot of work to be able to do.

  The Morrill fire has burned over 572,000 acres and is only 18 percent 
contained. The Cottonwood fire has burned over 131,000 acres, and it is 
only 40 percent contained. The Road 203 fire has burned 35,000 acres, 
and it is 36 percent contained. And the Anderson Bridge fire has burned 
17,000 acres and is only 60 percent contained.
  I know that Nebraskans will continue to work hard to preserve life 
and property and take care of their neighbors during this time. We are 
no stranger to disasters. Nebraskans always pitch in to be able to 
help.
  I do want to say to my fellow Nebraskans that if you get the 
evacuation order, be prepared because this fire has moved fast. We got 
some relief from the winds on Sunday, but they kicked up again on 
Monday. Those winds can drive that fire very, very fast. So be prepared 
to evacuate. Please don't stay. If you stay too long, you are putting 
yourself and the firefighters at risk who are trying to put out this 
fire and protect you. And when it is safe, please make sure you are 
documenting the damage that you have incurred.
  The USDA Farm Service Agency has Disaster Assistance Programs. After 
you are safe and you have had a chance to document your damage, you can 
go to them to see what sort of programs are out there. The Nebraska 
Cattlemen, nebraskacattlemen.org, has the ability for people to donate 
to be able to help out those impacted by this fire, so do the Red Cross 
and Salvation Army.
  In talking with our ag director Sherry Vinton, over 30,000 cattle may 
be displaced because of this fire. And certainly, there will be cattle 
losses because of it. We just don't know the magnitude yet. It has been 
very dry this winter in Nebraska, and this fire has burned out of 
control. But we have many brave Nebraskans--volunteers, firefighters, 
the National Guard--who are working to be able to get this fire under 
control.
  As a Federal delegation, we will continue to support the local 
efforts and the State's efforts to control this fire and to help those 
impacted recover. And again, I ask for the prayers of Nebraskans and 
all Americans to be able to help us out in this terrible tragedy.
  With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.