LINCOLN— The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Nebraska's request for federal emergency loan assistance for farmers affected by the major wildfires that burned across western Nebraska in March and April. The designation covers four primary counties—Garden, Grant, Lincoln, and Morrill—and 17 neighboring counties, allowing eligible producers to apply for low-interest USDA loans to restore property, cover production costs, refinance certain debts, and meet essential living expenses. Applications must be submitted within eight months. The approval follows President Donald Trump's separate federal disaster declaration for public infrastructure recovery in five of the hardest-hit counties.

State Sen. Paul Strommen, whose western Nebraska district was heavily impacted, said the assistance will be critical for communities where some residents lost nearly everything, and counties face significant financial strain from emergency response costs and declining property valuations. He noted that Morrill County has also suffered severe flooding in recent weeks, compounding the damage from the fires, and emphasized the importance of federal aid to help local governments and producers recover.

Despite the devastation, Strommen said many affected residents remain focused on helping their neighbors rather than themselves. He added that western Nebraska continues to face severe drought, with much of the region classified as experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions. Strommen said the region's greatest immediate need is rainfall and encouraged continued support for farmers and ranchers, who are also dealing with low commodity prices while working to rebuild their operations.

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