Ricketts on the Senate Floor: Ricketts Addresses Historic Nebraska Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) addressed the devasting wildfires in Western Nebraska. Senator Ricketts expressed his prayers for all Nebraskans affected by the disaster and applauded the heroic efforts of first responders.

"My home state of Nebraska is currently experiencing a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion for our state. We have a number of fires burning across the state that have burned up to 750,000 acres of Nebraska - that's over 1%, approaching 2%, of the total land area of my state," said Ricketts. "I ask all Nebraskans and all Americans to pray for the victims of this terrible fire. I had the opportunity, with Governor Pillen and Congressman Smith, to tour the areas that were burning on Saturday. Thank you to all of the firefighters - our volunteer firefighters - who were our first responders on the scene, who worked tirelessly to control this fire."

"When it is safe, please make sure you are documenting the damage that you've incurred. The USDA Farm Service Agency has a Disaster Assistance Program," said Ricketts. "After you're safe and you've had a chance to document your damage, you can go to them to see what sorts of programs are out there. NebraskaCattlemen.org has the ability for people to donate to help out those impacted by this fire. So does the Red Cross and Salvation Army. As a federal delegation, we will continue to support the local efforts and the state's efforts to control this fire and to help those impacted recover."

Watch the video HERE.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: "My home state of Nebraska is currently experiencing a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion for our state.

"We are experiencing the largest wildfires since Nebraska became a state, which started last week.

"We have a number of fires burning across the state that have burned up to 750,000 acres of Nebraska - that's over 1%, approaching 2%, of the total land area of my state.

"We have had one fatality: Rosemary White, a grandmother of 12, died at a ranch near Arthur, Nebraska.

"We've also had hundreds, if not thousands, of people impacted by these fires.

"I ask all Nebraskans and all Americans to pray for the victims of this terrible fire.

"I had the opportunity, with Governor Pillen and Congressman Smith, to tour the areas that were burning on Saturday.

"Thank you to all of the firefighters - our volunteer firefighters - who were our first responders on the scene, who worked tirelessly to control this fire.

"By the time we arrived on Saturday, they'd had little sleep over the past several days and were exhausted.

"At six o'clock that night, a federal firefighter team came in to provide relief, and I thank those firefighters as well.

"Thank you to our Nebraska National Guardsmen.

"We have two Black Hawk helicopters with Bambi Buckets that are on site helping to control the fire by dumping water on it from an aerial perspective.

"I thank Iowa as well, because they have also loaned us two helicopters to be able to help out with this.

"The Governor was calling the fire departments of Omaha, Lincoln, and Columbus, seeking to get additional firefighter help to relieve the volunteers that were working so hard around the clock.

"Nebraska is a great place.

"We have great community spirit, and we saw it on full display as people pitched in to help combat these fires.

"But we have a lot of work to do.

"The Morrill fire has burned over 572,000 acres and is only 18% contained.

"The Cottonwood fire has burned over 131,000 acres and is only 40% contained.

"The Road 203 fire has burned 35,000 acres and is 36% contained.

"The Anderson Bridge fire has burned 17,000 acres and is only 60% contained.

"I know that Nebraskans will continue to work hard to preserve life and property and take care of their neighbors during this time.

"We're no stranger to disasters, and Nebraskans always pitch in to help.

"I do want to say to my fellow Nebraskans: if you get the evacuation order, be prepared, because this fire has moved fast.

"We got some relief from the winds on Sunday, but they kicked up again on Monday.

"Those winds can drive that fire very, very fast.

"So be prepared to evacuate.

"Please don't stay - if you stay too long, you're putting yourself and the firefighters at risk who are trying to put out this fire and protect you.

"And when it is safe, please make sure you are documenting the damage that you've incurred.

"The USDA Farm Service Agency has a Disaster Assistance Program.

"After you're safe and you've had a chance to document your damage, you can go to them to see what sorts of programs are out there.

"NebraskaCattlemen.org has the ability for people to donate to help out those impacted by this fire.

"So does the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

"In talking with our Ag Director, Sherry Vinton, over 30,000 cattle may be displaced because of this fire, and certainly there will be cattle losses because of it.

"We just don't know the magnitude yet.

"It's been very dry this winter in Nebraska, and this fire has burned out of control.

"But we have many brave Nebraskans - volunteers, firefighters, National Guard - who are working to get this fire under control.

"As a federal delegation, we will continue to support the local efforts and the state's efforts to control this fire and to help those impacted recover.

"And again, I ask for the prayers of Nebraskans and all Americans to help us through this terrible tragedy."