Wildfires Devastate Nebraska Ranchers as Climate Change Impacts Intensify

Experts warn that extreme weather and drought are creating a 'new kind of wildfire era' for the state's cattle industry.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:52pm

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After the second warmest and fourth driest winter on record, western Nebraska is facing a 'disastrous' wildfire season that experts say is a direct result of a warming climate. Ranchers like Mike Wintz have lost grazing land, hay, and livestock, with the timing of the fires hitting just as calving season was starting. The state's cattle industry, a critical part of Nebraska's economy, is now facing an uncertain future as climate change impacts make the business more difficult.

Why it matters

Nebraska's cattle industry is a major economic driver for the state, ranking first in the country for beef and veal exports in 2024. However, the industry is now threatened by the impacts of climate change, including more intense wildfires, drought, and changing weather patterns that are disrupting ranching operations. The loss of grazing land, livestock, and infrastructure could force some ranchers out of business, further consolidating an already aging industry.

The details

The Morrill Fire, the largest documented wildfire in Nebraska history, burned through nearly all of Mike Wintz's grazing land, 900 bales of hay, and injured some of his livestock. Wintz and his neighbors fought to save his home, but the fire left his yearlings with singe marks and he expects to lose several calves due to the stress. Across the state, seven large wildfires have broken out in the past month, impacting an estimated 945,381 acres so far this year and damaging or destroying around 112 structures.

  • This past winter was the second warmest and fourth driest on record in Nebraska.
  • On March 21, Nebraska hit record high temperatures in the 80s and 90s.
  • The Morrill, Cottonwood, Anderson Bridge and Road 203 wildfires all erupted in central and western Nebraska within a few days of each other.
  • As of March 30, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency estimated wildfires have impacted about 945,381 acres so far this year.

The players

Mike Wintz

A rancher and volunteer firefighter in western Nebraska who lost nearly all of his grazing land, 900 bales of hay, and had livestock injured in the Morrill Fire.

Eric Hunt

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln agriculture meteorology and climate resilience extension educator who says Nebraska is entering a 'new kind of wildfire era' due to climate change.

Dirac Twidwell

A rangeland and fire ecologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who says a new trend of increased wildfire activity and acres burned is emerging across the Great Plains.

Jaslyn Livingston

A rancher, volunteer firefighter, and appointed member of the Cattlemen's Beef Board who says the wildfires could be 'the deal that tips it over' for some producers considering retirement.

Matt Cover

A rancher in the Sandhills region who says the devastation left by the wildfires is a 'depressing setting to wake up to' for those who had their land burned.

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What they’re saying

“'I didn't leave. I just basically fought my way back towards my ranch. A couple of the other outfits were headed to the house to kind of head it off … I just put my trust in the neighbors and the other firefighters.'”

— Mike Wintz, Rancher

“'We're entering a new kind of wildfire era for this generation than what past generations have experienced, and it's pretty well established on why.'”

— Dirac Twidwell, Rangeland and Fire Ecologist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

“'Things are very, very bad at the western part of the state … I can't emphasize enough how disastrous this winter has been for western Nebraska.'”

— Eric Hunt, Agriculture Meteorology and Climate Resilience Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

“'There's a lot of people out there that this (ranching) is their livelihoods. This is what their families have been for generations. These people … we saved their houses when we fought fires, we saved most of all these houses, but now they have to live in the middle of these sand dunes, and what a depressing setting to wake up to … every single day.'”

— Matt Cover, Rancher

“'The Sandhills are resilient. The grass is there. It just needs a little bit of moisture to pop up and they'll be back. It's just going to be a different year for me: calving different and haying different, summer range different … you gotta let the land come back, I guess. We need the rain.'”

— Mike Wintz, Rancher

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.