REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Nebraska ranchers are again dealing with fast-moving wildfires in Grant County, where the largest wildfire in state history -- the Morrill Fire -- burned earlier this month.

The Minor Fire burned approximately 15,000 acres in central Grant County, and the Ashby Fire is affecting more than 34,641 acres in western Grant County.

PILLEN EXTENDS BURN BAN, EASES TRUCKING RULES

On Thursday, Gov. Jim Pillen issued an executive order effective through April 10 by which fire chiefs or their designated members are prohibited from issuing permits for open burning anywhere in the state. The previous statewide burn ban for Nebraska is slated to expire on March 27. No significant moisture has helped to reduce these high-risk areas.

Pillen also waived hours of service restrictions and adjusted maximum load width/weight limits to allow commercial motor carriers to operate within the state and deliver feed and other supplies under the ongoing wildfire emergency.

The current drought monitor for Nebraska shows the majority of the state in a D2 Severe Drought and several large portions in a D3 Extreme Drought. (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/…)

ROLLINS TOURS MORRILL FIRE DAMAGE

On March 23, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took an aerial tour of the area affected by the Morrill Fire. "Livestock operations have been affected, including some of America's top beef-producing counties. Homes have been lost, livelihoods have been upended and families have seen the land that they have depended on and worked for generations, including rangeland and pasture, billow up in smoke in a matter of minutes," she said in a news conference after the tour.

USDA activated many agencies to help producers and residents in affected areas. Rollins said the Farm Service Agency has emergency programs that are ready to be used. The Natural Resources Conservation Service agency will help with conservation plans for the acres affected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will also assist those in need.

SENATE PASSES EMERGENCY CONSERVATION BILL

On March 24, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., brought forward a bill, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, which the U.S. Senate unanimously passed to provide access to federal disaster relief under the USDA's Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program. This will provide agricultural producers with financial and technical assistance to repair and restore their land because of loss from natural disasters. This will allow immediate assistance for these farmers and ranchers, instead of a slow response. The bill awaits approval by the U.S. House of Representatives.

PRODUCERS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT USDA OFFICES

In a news release dated March 26, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce stated that USDA will help producers recover and move forward. He said impacted producers should connect with their local USDA Service Centers. (Find them at https://www.farmers.gov/….)

"Once it is safe to do so, producers should document losses and damages thoroughly. Gathering farm records, herd inventory, receipts, videos and photos (date and time stamped if possible)," Fordyce explained. "Our local staff will help translate your loss reports into the USDA technical and financial support designed to meet recovery needs specific to your operation."

He added that in wildfire-affected areas, USDA has authorized emergency use of Conservation Reserve Program acres in not just Nebraska, but also Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming to help address forage shortages. Emergency haying and grazing is available until the primary nesting season, which varies by state. Local FSA staff should be contacted in these areas.

"Under the leadership of Secretary Rollins and with the support of the Trump administration, we're focused on making sure you have the resources you need during recovery and as you prepare for a brighter tomorrow," Fordyce said.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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