‘95% of our grazing land is gone’: Ranchers share impact of Nebraska wildfires

More than 800,000 acres of land has burned as four wildfires continue to tear through central and western Nebraska. Ranchers and farmers are now scrambling to find safety for their livestock.In western Nebraska, a country road serves as a dividing line between untouched sandhills and land torched by wildfire. “It was just so erratic, the winds would change so much, and it was blowing so hard,” Glenna Sherfey said. “There was just no rhyme or reason to the direction it went.”The Morrill Fire burned through more than 643,000 acres in just five days, tearing through multiple counties, including Garden County, where Sherfey’s home and ranch are. Nebraska rancher recalls firefighters battling deadly wildfires”I would say 95% of our grazing land is gone,” Sherfey said. “95% of our fences are probably gone as well.”Sherfey said she’s grateful their cattle and other animals are unharmed.”Our horses in the horse pasture, some of them horses I’ve had for over 20 years that I kind of kicked me in the teeth, being scared that I was going to lose one of my horses because they’re more than just a horse,” Sherfey said. “Worried about our pets at home and, of course, obviously worried about our cattle and our homes. It was just the most awful, helpless feeling I’ve ever felt in my life.”However, like many in the fire’s path, they’re now forced to make tough decisions.”We just don’t have the grass, and we don’t have the hay. There’s just. There’s just no way we can hold the cattle here,” Sherfey said. “We will shift from calving our cows. Taking care of that to more range management and rebuilding fences.”‘Helping the Heartland’: Nebraska Athletics says ticket proceeds from spring game will aid wildfire relief effortsNebraska Cattlemen said the Sherfey’s aren’t alone. “There’s a lot of people would’ve lost a lot of their feed, you know, and lost a lot of the pasture that these cattle are running on,” Craig Uden with Nebraska Cattlemen said. President of the organization, Craig Uden, said while many may sell their cattle, there will still be work to be done, like rebuilding, and he said it won’t be cheap.”A lot of these fences could be up to $15,000 a mile,” Uden said. But, as the fires rage on, help is already on its way. “We are Nebraska strong, and we’re broken, but we’re not beat,” Sherfey said. Sherfey and Uden said they’re incredibly grateful for each firefighter who has worked countless hours to help keep everyone safe in these fires. Nebraska Cattlemen have organized a resource list and a relief fund, click here to access both. Ranchers share impact of Nebraska wildfiresMake sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |