12 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2025 PEOPLE From the Ashes Communities Rally in Wake of Fire TRESSA LAWRENCE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Between the howling winds, blistering heat, tumultuous wildfires and harrowing storms that bring down every act of nature known to mankind, Nebraskans are forged into tough, resilient people. Despite the elements doing their darnedest to harden the residents of the Plains to their core, a tender heart remains for our neighbors in times of need. When disaster strikes, residents of rural Nebraska band together to help their neighbors and communities, ensuring that no one has to face tragedy alone. Smoke Signals It’s the crack of lightning, the smell of smoke on the breeze, the urgent phone call that is answered only with “Fire!” We are all familiar with the drill of dropping everything and running to help. That story rang true when the Johnstown Fire broke out earlier this spring after a controlled burn got out of hand. Throughout the week, more than 7,000 acres of rangeland burned to the ground. Forty-three head of cattle died during the fire, with at least 20 more severely burned. “There were several farmers and even business owners in town, like our local fertilizer shop, that brought big tankers of water,” explains Johnstown Fire Chief Wade Buechle. “Neighbors and community members brought food, drinking water and Gatorade to the fire hall. The ladies from the Ainsworth and Johnstown areas came in and made lunches every morning for the crews on the fire. Northeast Community College out of Norfolk donated a bunch of shirts, deodorant, ibuprofen – whatever we might need. The entire surrounding area really rallied together for us.” Accepting a Helping Hand Often in times of chaos, we find ourselves more concerned about our neighbors. It is hard to accept help when we think someone else might need it more. That’s the story of Benny Burdick in the midst of the fire. Luckily for Burdick, his friends and neighbors would not take no for an answer. “I told them that I was moving hay, that I would be fine. Within an hour, there are two dually pickups with dump beds that are coming to move hay out of the stack yard,” Burdick recalls. “They showed up with trailers and horses and helped me move cows. I was in the middle of trying to do everything and there was no way to do it alone. I never asked for help, but I’m lucky that they know that I can’t do it all on my own, and they showed up.” Burdick’s family had leased the land for 50 years, and Burdick finally had the opportunity to purchase the property last year. The fire wiped it all out, leaving him to search for summer pasture. Nebraskans are known for their willingness to help and do whatever needs done during hard times, whether that’s moving cows or hauling hay away from the f ire. Photo courtesy of Tressa Lawrence.
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