Locals, state officials meet to start planning wildfire relief

HOLDREGE, NE - Southern Nebraskans are starting to look ahead after a wildfire ripped through 30,000 acres last week. 

State and local government officials met with Farm Bureau representatives, the Nebraska Cattlemen and others in Holdrege on Monday. Farm Bureau Regional Manager Heidi Pieper says the idea for the meeting started as a conversation between the local area boards.

“We felt it was really imperative that we include more members of the community, other organizations, government officials as well - just to really get a full scope of what was happening and figure out the best way we could help in providing relief moving forward,” Pieper said.

Participants said there will be massive needs for hay, fencing materials and public infrastructure items, like signs. There’s several drop off sites and donation funds already set up. There was no consensus reached, but locals are considering using statewide groups to form a centralized relief effort. 

“I don’t think at this time we have a great idea of what the needs are," Pieper said. "(We’re) still very early in the process from the messaging we were hearing today.”

The recovery process will be extensive. Firefighters are still working to extinguish any smoldering areas, the charred land will result in more blowing dust and groups will need to properly vet those applying for donations.

Region 17 Emergency Manager Roger Powell knows the challenge from being on the front lines.

“The fire is devastating, but the loss of the fire chief, the injuries to the firefighters and the people that lost everything is a terrible situation,” Powell said. “It’s just going to take awhile to rebound. I don’t think we know the extent yet of what there is out there that’s been totally damaged.”

Relief Funds/Donations:

First Central Bank

Elwood Area Foundation

Pinnacle Bank Elwood (308-785-2280)

Security First Bank Elwood (308-785-3366)

First Tier Bank Holdrege (for Emergency Manager Justin Norris's family)

Lexington Livestock (hay, fence materials)