Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Kevin J. Hynes, Nebraska National Guard, 402-309-8390

Katrina Cerveny, NEMA, 402-326-3179

Gov. Pillen Tours Wildfires, Provides Update on Operations

KEITH COUNTY, NE -- Today, Governor Jim Pillen provided an update on operations following an aerial tour of wildfires burning across Nebraska. He was joined in the briefing at the Keith County Fairgrounds by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith. Lt. Colonel Scott Henrickson, chief of the joint staff for the Nebraska National Guard also spoke, providing an update on personnel and equipment deployed by the Nebraska National Guard to support local firefighters.

In total, three of the state’s largest wildfires have damaged around 600,000 acres. Gov. Pillen spoke specifically about impacts resulting from the Morrill County Fire, which has now consumed 460,000 acres and the Lincoln County (Cottonwood Fire) near Gothenburg, which has burned 100,000 acres. The Road 203 Fire near Halsey has burned 40,000 acres.

Gov. Pillen emphasized that the state is taking a proactive approach to enlisting additional resources for fire suppression and providing assistance to community volunteer firefighters, who have been working around the clock. Earlier today, he called the mayors of Omaha, Lincoln and Columbus to see what fire personnel and equipment they would be able to provide. He also indicated he would contact other mayors and nearby states like Iowa, to see what assistance they could lend.

“This is a fight from the river to Harrison, and I’m really excited that we’re getting people deployed to help our volunteer firefighters,” he added.

The Nebraska National Guard has deployed 29 airmen and soldiers to assist with firefighting efforts in central and western Nebraska.  That includes a ground firefighting hand crew, which is working shoulder to shoulder with local fire teams. Two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets have also been flown to the area for aerial firefighting support.

“We are working to get more resources into the state, but as we heard, there are multiple fires across multiple states,” said Lt. Col. Henrickson. “We are still working to see what is available and of course, bring that up in a unified effort here with the local emergency management team as well as our Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).”

NEMA has requested and received approval from FEMA for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), which is designed to help support efforts to mitigate, manage, and control fires on public or private forests or grasslands. That assistance may help recover some of the costs associated with the state’s ongoing fire response.

Gov. Pillen also mentioned ongoing assistance from the Nebraska Department of Transportation which is providing road graders in order to create necessary roadblocks to prevent the spread of flames.

During the news conference, the Governor reiterated a message shared previously – the need to heed any locally-issued evacuation orders. Officials yesterday confirmed one fire-related fatality.

“I think it’s important that all Nebraskans pray. The circumstances have not changed. Yesterday was one of the toughest days, and through the night, that we’ve probably ever experienced in our state,” said Gov. Pillen. “Tomorrow, the winds are supposed to be extraordinary.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Issuing Burn Ban for Nebraska

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen is issuing a statewide burn ban, to help reduce the potential for additional wildfires in Nebraska. Dry and windy conditions have caused the spread of significant fires in the central and western parts of the state. Earlier today, Gov. Pillen issued an emergency proclamation activating the deployment of state resources to help combat fires, including the use of aircraft and personnel from the Nebraska National Guard.

The Governor’s executive order prohibiting burning will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on March 27.  Included with this release is an update that has been provided by State Fire Marshal Doug Hohbein to all fire chiefs statewide.

A copy of the Governor's executive order will be distributed later this afternoon, once it is countersigned as required, by the Secretary of State.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Kevin J. Hynes, Nebraska National Guard, 402-309-8390

Katrina Cerveny, NEMA, 402-326-3179

Gov. Pillen Declares Emergency, Mobilizes Guard as Wildfires Burn in Central and Western Nebraska

LINCOLN, NE -- Today Governor Jim Pillen issued an emergency proclamation to unlock state resources and support the response to multiple wildfires in central and western Nebraska that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres of land across multiple counties and resulted in evacuations in nearby communities. Roadways have also been closed due to low visibility. 

“These fires present a significant and active danger, given current weather conditions,” said Gov. Pillen. “Anyone living within proximity to current wildfires are urged to heed communications issued by local authorities, including their respective county emergency management agencies.”

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 24 reports of wildfires in the past 24 hours. Major fires that are being tracked include the following:

The Road 203 Fire south of the communities of Halsey and Dunning within the Nebraska National Forest. Due to its location, this fire is currently being managed by federal authorities.

The Lincoln County Fire (Cottonwood Fire) south of I-80, near Brady and Gothenburg.

The Morrill County Fire north of Nebraska Highway 92, between Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Lake McConaughy.

The Anderson Bridge Fire west of Valentine.

The Governor and his team have been closely monitoring these fires, which significantly worsened late yesterday with continued severe wind conditions across Nebraska. The fires have grown beyond the capacity of local wildland fire responders and firefighters. 

Acting overnight, Gov. Pillen ordered the activation and deployment of multiple state assets and resources in response to the fires. Fire response actions include: 

• Authorizing the deployment of 26 Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen to assist local fire crews.
• Ordering the deployment of a fixed-wing fire suppression aircraft for fire suppression.
• Ordering the deployment of a Nebraska Army National Guard helicopter and crew to support local fire fighters with quick and targeted aerial water drops, particularly in areas where ground respond capabilities are limited.
• Ordering the deployment of a Nebraska Army and Air National Guard firefighting hand crew to support local fire fighters.
• Ordering several Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) road graders to Oshkosh and surrounding areas. This heavy equipment will assist with creating fire breaks to slow the growth of existing wildfires and contain them.
• Activating a Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) for consolidated management of the Morrill County and Lincoln County fires, which have exceeded 300,000 acres and 50,000 acres, respectively.
• Activating the State Emergency Operations Center to provide centralized interagency coordination and monitoring at NEMA headquarters in Lincoln.

In addition to the items above, the Nebraska State Patrol has been assisting with evacuations and traffic control in specific affected areas.

Gov. Pillen is expected to take an aerial tour of fire-impacted areas this weekend.  Additional information will be shared concerning that helicopter tour when it becomes available.

The Governor’s emergency proclamation is included as an attachment to this email.

Governor's Emergency Proclamation PDF

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

University of Nebraska Named Potential DOW Fellowship Partner

LINCOLN, NE — Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth released a memo listing the University of Nebraska as an “elite institution” and potential new Senior Service College Fellowship program partner.

“From General John J. Pershing to today’s warfighters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska has a long tradition of educating and training the next generation of military leaders,” said Gov. Pillen. “Our state and the University of Nebraska is committed to continuing this tradition and serving future leaders of America’s extraordinary military.”

The memo, signed by Sec. Hegseth eliminates certain Senior Service College Fellowship programs, primarily east coast Ivy League schools, for the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond.

In a release, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the memo directs “the Department of War to strategically refocus the education of its senior military officers to ensure alignment with the warrior ethos, National Defense Strategy, and American values.”

The University of Nebraska is one of 15 Civilian Education Institutions that meet the following criteria: intellectual freedom, minimal relationships with adversaries, minimal public expressions in opposition of the Department, and graduate-level National Security, International Affairs, and/or Public Policy Programs. 

The full Department of War memo from Secretary Hegseth can be found here.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Signs Classroom Improvement Legislation into Law

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, a strong supporter of K-12 education in Nebraska, signed LB653 into law today to improve classroom environments. The new law will provide school districts the flexibility to work with students and their families to address disruptive behaviors, ensuring that our classrooms are a place for learning.

“We’re investing in Nebraska’s kids while ensuring classrooms are safe and great learning environments,” said Governor Pillen. “Today, I signed LB653 into law and I’m grateful for the legislature’s work – especially Sen. Murman for carrying this legislation on my behalf – to get this to my desk to provide teachers and school administrators the tools they need to discipline and assist young students who engage in violent behavior in the classroom.”

Earlier this year during the Governor’s State of the State Address, Gov. Pillen highlighted pieces of this legislation as a priority initiative to help address issues teachers have faced with violent or disruptive students in classroom settings.

The legislation allows school districts to suspend Pre-K through 2nd grade students who exhibit violent behavior and protect the students right to be heard by the administration. While this legislation was not a full repeal of the existing prohibition, it will help schools to regain control in their classrooms.

This is win for Nebraska teachers, students, families, and learning.