Gothenburg Area Businesses Pooling Resources for Wildfire Victims

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — As fire crews continue extinguishing flames from the Cottonwood Fires in the western half of Nebraska, nearby communities are beginning to rebuild.

Jake Fairley from Laird Feed in Gothenburg says his family and home are safe, but his ranch lost a "fair amount" of pasture during the fire over the weekend.

Fairley describes what the last few days have been like, "It's been kind of busy. You might be able to be prepared a little bit for a wildfire, but I don't think anybody completely can grasp just the magnitude of it unless you've been through it or unless you're in the middle of it."

Like many of his neighbors, he's beginning to rebuild and take inventory of what his operation is going to look like with the diminished pasture. Not only is he looking for how to help his ranch, but wants to use his connections and expertise at Laird Feed to assist others in need. He's partnered with Gothenburg-area businesses like The Milk House, Miller Repairs, Maline Seed & Fence, and Flatwater Bank to pool resources and coordinate donations.

Fairley adds that sometimes the best way to help a friend or neighbor doesn't always have to require giving items or resources, "Make sure you check on your friends, family, and neighbors and I mean really check on them. There may be people who are struggling, you know, that for whatever reason just aren't reaching out for help. So make sure to check on them.”’

Fairley says if you need help, or have something you'd like to donate, to reach out to his store Laird Feed in Gothenburg.