Spring break plans changed quickly for students at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture as wildfires spread across western Nebraska this week.
The Cottonwood Fire, which started March 12 amid dry conditions and high winds, burned rangeland and threatened homes, livestock and infrastructure.
Instead of leaving campus, NCTA students joined response efforts, helping move livestock, deliver supplies and assist landowners as conditions shifted.
Students hauled trailers to evacuate animals, checked fences and brought fuel and water to fire lines. In one case, volunteers helped move about 80 horses from a property as flames approached.
The work stretched across several days as firefighters, ranchers and volunteers from across Nebraska and neighboring states worked to contain the fires.
For many students, the experience became an unplanned extension of their agricultural training, offering firsthand exposure to wildfire response and its impact on rural communities. Students who stepped up as volunteers include Matthew Belveal, Hayley Boon, Conrad Burrow, Dalton Casper, William Cockcroft, Treven Critchfield, Brock Hassiepen, McKenzie Heil, Trevyen Keene, Johnna Perry, Noah Trampe and Layna Wear.
In a message to students, faculty, and staff, Kelly Bruns, interim executive director, acknowledged that some were “in harm’s way,” helping protect homes, farms, and animals as the fire moved through the area. He expressed concern for their safety while also offering gratitude, especially for students who worked through the night
Read more about the response in NCTA News.
The three fires in western Nebraska have consumed more than 800,000 acres of land, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. Dozens of trained volunteers continue to work to contain the fires.
Nebraska Extension is also offering guidance for producers recovering from wildfires, including prioritizing livestock health, documenting losses and planning for pasture recovery.
More information is available in the extension article, After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation, and Recovery for Nebraska Cattle Operations.
