Central Nebraska Wildfires

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my condolences and thoughts to Nebraskans impacted by recent, severe wildfires and recognize the extraordinary response of emergency personnel across the Third District of Nebraska.

Last week, central Nebraska wildfires claimed over 70,000 acres in 24 hours in the counties of Lincoln, Custer, Dawson, and Logan. While the windswept flames forced evacuations and destroyed livestock, structures, supplies, pasture, and miles of fence, thanks to the courageous efforts of responders to ensure the safety of Nebraskans, no lives were lost.

From across the State, emergency personnel, pilots, and more than 50 local and volunteer fire departments came together to contain the blaze. Countless private citizens pitched in to move livestock, disk fields, and transport water.

In fact, the Red Willow Rural Fire Department testified to the vital help of community members, saying: We couldn't do what we do without area farmers and ranchers.

My deep gratitude goes out to Third District volunteers and businesses who came together to assist in recovery. From local businesses donating livestock feed and fencing repair supplies to GoFundMe recovery efforts, the remarkable generosity in the face of disaster shows what Nebraskans are made of: quick to lend a hand, with greater concern for their neighbor than for the cost to themselves.

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