NEBRASKA WILDFIRE CRISIS

NEBRASKA WILDFIRE CRISIS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2554-H2555] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1015 NEBRASKA WILDFIRE CRISIS (Mr. Smith of Nebraska was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in keeping the people of Nebraska in their thoughts and prayers as our State confronts the worst wildfire crisis in our history. Nebraska has always been defined by resilience. From the pioneers who endured brutal blizzards, devastating droughts, and an uncertain future to build a life on the Great Plains, to the families who call it home today, that spirit has never left us. It is who we are. Today, that spirit is being tested once again. On March 12, four fires ignited across central and western Nebraska. In less than a week, they have burned over 826,000 acres, and there is still no clear end in sight. This past weekend, I joined Governor Pillen and Senator Ricketts to tour the affected areas and meet with local officials to learn about the latest containment efforts. What I saw and heard was certainly sobering. The scale of this devastation is staggering. Across 10 counties, no less than 46 structures have been destroyed and 470 more are threatened. At least 600 Nebraskans have had to evacuate their homes, and 1 Nebraskan, Rose White of Arthur, Nebraska, has lost her life. I certainly take a moment to offer my heartfelt condolences to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew and loved her. Right now, these fires continue to burn, and Mother Nature is not predicted to be of any assistance any time soon. The Morrill fire, now the largest wildfire in Nebraska's history, has already burned more than 643,000 acres [[Page H2555]] and is only 16 percent contained. The Cottonwood fire has taken over 131,000 acres and is just 40 percent contained. Road 203 fire has burned more than 35,000 acres and is only 36 percent contained, and the Anderson Bridge fire has burned up to 17,000 acres and is 60 percent contained. Yet, even in the face of this disaster, Nebraskans are doing what we have always done, and that is coming together. Neighbors are helping neighbors. Unaffected communities across our State are sending their support, and a countless number of brave volunteer firefighters and first responders continue to work around the clock, putting everything on the line to protect lives, land, and livelihoods. Governor Pillen has deployed the Nebraska National Guard, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has sent Iowa National Guard helicopters with Bambi Buckets and crews trained for firefighting operations to assist in these efforts. This is what it means to look out for one another. While this fight is far from over, we must remember what is at stake. Agriculture is the backbone of Nebraska's economy and a way of life for countless families. These fires are not just burning land. They are threatening livelihoods. Heading into the summer, it is expected that more than 35,000 head of cattle will be without grass this grazing season. Tens of millions of dollars' worth of fencing, fence lines, and other crucial infrastructure have been lost. This means for many producers that the hardship will continue long after the fires are contained. I ask those producers to please document their losses when it is safe to do so. Federal disaster assistance programs are available, and I want to ensure that support is received for those who are eligible. I also will take a moment to be honest about what is happening here in Washington. While Nebraska is battling the worst wildfire in our State's history, Senate Democrats are continuing to hold funding for the Department of Homeland Security hostage, putting future FEMA disaster relief funding at risk. Enough is enough. Disaster relief and other vital programs, including TSA and others, should never be used as a political pawn. All Nebraskans should know that they have the full support of the entire Nebraska Federal delegation, and we stand ready to help in any way that we can. We have faced tough times before, and we have always come through them stronger together. We will do that again now because that is who we are as Nebraskans. ____________________