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LINCOLN — President Donald Trump issued a federal disaster declaration for damage resulting from major wildfires this spring that burned more than 821,000 acres combined.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced Trump’s approval of the requested disaster declaration late last week, which covers Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill counties. The Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby and Minor fires burned between March 12 and April 2.
The Morrill Fire alone led to one death and more than 642,000 acres burned, a record in state history. That’s almost equal to the land area of Rhode Island.
The federal disaster declaration unlocks funds to help cover the cost of damages to public infrastructure. Pillen’s office said paved and gravel roadways will need to be reconstructed, and electrical poles, conductors and other components will need to be replaced.
The total funding covered under the declaration is nearly $9.7 million.
Pillen, the first agricultural governor Nebraska has had in a century, said the state knows farmers and ranchers are continuing to deal with the “devastating aftermath” from the historic fires.
“This request will help to ensure that roads are returned to safe and usable condition and that our electrical infrastructure is restored to proper operational standards,” Pillen said in a Thursday statement. “I appreciate the support from FEMA and President Trump in Nebraska’s recovery from these fires.”
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