"It took a well-coordinated federal and local effort to fully extinguish Nebraska's fires," said Senator Nelson during his weekly conference call with Nebraska media. "When the volunteer and Nebraska fire fighting resources were overwhelmed by the fast-moving flames, federal and out-of-state wildfire crews and Forest Service fire managers came in to finish the job… So, today, I'd like to again thank the federal firefighting force that teamed up with our outstanding local firefighters to get Nebraska through a tough situation."
The arid conditions resulting from Nebraska's extensive drought are a near-ideal environment for wildfires. Now, several assessments have concluded that lightning triggered the blaze that rapidly spread, charring hundreds of square miles in north-central Nebraska, destroying more than a dozen homes, and forcing evacuations from surrounding areas. Experts believe that this fire was Nebraska's second largest ever.
Senator Nelson acknowledged that while he is a frequent critic of how the federal government responds to in-state needs, he could not fault the federal response to the fire in Nebraska – labeling it a high quality and adept exercise of federal firefighting assets.
"A lot of my time in the Senate has been consumed with getting the federal government to respond the right way to local needs, but in the case of the recent wildfires in Nebraska, I've got to acknowledge where praise is due," said Nelson. "It's clear that the federal and local response was outstanding, efficient, and thorough. It took a well-coordinated local and federal effort to fully extinguish Nebraska's fires."
Nelson stressed that the federal crews that worked to aid the volunteer and Nebraska fire response were a prime example of the federal government operating how it is supposed to operate.
"The crews that helped us were organized under the National Fire Plan and the Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy, both integral parts of the U.S. Forest Service," said Nelson. "You know, the big machinery works, and sometimes it works exceedingly well."
Senator Nelson commented that just as Nebraska depended on a federal response to help fight the fire, Nebraska should expect no less of Congress in its ongoing effort to deliver natural disaster and recovery aid. Nelson also remarked that the disaster aid is currently held up in the House of Representatives, and rather than pass a five-year Farm Bill, the House will likely pass a one-year extension of outdated 2008 provisions.
"The fair thing for Nebraska taxpayers and local communities to expect now – particularly when lives, homes, and our economy are at risk from the impact of the drought and wildfires – is support from Congress. And we in the Senate passed a five-year Farm Bill… But the House leadership won't bring any Farm Bill legislation to the House floor, and is just working on one-year extensions of disaster provisions from 2008. These provisions lack the needed modifications and updates in the five-year Senate bill," said Nelson. "Like on so many issues, the House leadership is punting again.
"If kicking the can down the road was an Olympic sport, House leadership would get a gold medal."
Senator Nelson called on the U.S House to pass a five-year Farm Bill, and stressed the urgency of the matter for Nebraskans, echoing the message he delivered on July 31 during a speech from the Senate floor.
"The House should work on and pass a Farm Bill now, so Congress can support Nebraskans who have lost so much in the drought and wildfires," said Nelson. "There's no time to waste. Nebraska farmers, ranchers and rural communities are getting dust, burnt crops and uncertainty, when they should be getting the disaster aid they deserve."
Nelson also noted that Nebraska may continue to be aided by a federal wildfire response in months to come, for if the fire is officially declared a federal disaster, the federal government will compensate the State of Nebraska for approximately ¾ of the expenditures required to fight the fire.
"It will be months down the road before we have word on this, but it is likely that this fire will receive a federal disaster declaration, and about three-fourths of the firefighting costs will be reimbursed by the federal government," said Nelson.
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