August 2025 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 13 “You’ve always got to look at the glass half full instead of half empty,” Burdick says. “It could have always been worse. The fire itself was bad enough, and we had to find grass for our cows because we lost all our summer grass and over 10 miles of fence, which is even more out of the pocket. But I’ve had people call who want me to come put up hay on shares and people have called with some extra grass that I could take the cows to. So, it’s going to work out.” Community Similar stories echo out from other fires and tragedies across the state. Regardless of when or where disaster strikes, rural Nebraskans pull together. “I think the biggest thing is just the overall willingness to help and do whatever needs done during hard times, regardless of what it is,” says Brewster Rural Fire District Assistant Chief Frank Utter, a rancher in the area. “As soon as word gets out that there’s a fire, we’ll have people show up with all kinds of homemade fire rigs or portable water. Sandwiches and cookies start flowing in to keep bellies full and everyone going. Tractors show up to cut lines or trailers show up to haul cattle. I think that anybody who lives out here for very long, it just kind of becomes part of who you are.” Marilyn Rhoades of Uncle Buck’s Lodge in Brewster has been orchestrating meals for firefighting crews for more than 30 years. “It just started because we usually have a lot of supplies on hand, and other people would bring in other food to send out. People are good to step in and help serve, if not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because if it isn’t their land this time, it may be the next time,” Rhoades explains. “Community has always been great here in the Sandhills.” The incredible outpouring of support throughout fires or other calamities weaves a strong bond across communities. As we all know, there is still much work to be done once the smoke has cleared. “Life after fires is an incredible display of resilience, not only in terms of the people but also the rangelands,” says Micah Most, Ogallala area native who is now a Wyoming Extension agent who helped spearhead fire recovery efforts in his county after a fire burned 175,000 acres last fall. “We know that there’s still a lot of recovery to be done on the financial end, and also on the emotional and mental well-being side of things. But agriculturalists are a gritty community, pretty tough folks who can withstand a lot. This is just one more reminder of the resilience of the people and the landscapes that we work with in our livelihoods and agriculture.” Resilience Resilience is defined as “The capacity to withstand or recover from difficulties; toughness. The ability to be happy, successful, etc., again after something difficult or bad has happened.” The wildfires of recent years have helped shine a light on Nebraskans and how they embody resilience by showing up and serving whenever help is needed. Remember to thank your neighbors and be a good neighbor. “It’s a tough deal, but we’ll get through it,” Burdick says. “Thank God for good friends and neighbors. We’ll work through it; we’re Nebraskans. We’re born and raised here, and when you’re surrounded by a community that backs you, they’re always there to help.” ~NC~ More than 65 fire departments showed up to help contain the Johnstown Fire earlier this spring. Photo courtesy of Tressa Lawrence. “Life after fires is an incredible display of resilience, not only in terms of the people but also the rangelands.” –Micah Most “All we’ve got left are the skeletons of the trees because the fire was so hot. It’s just almost unimaginable, we’ll never see it the same in our lifetime,” says Benny Burdick, a rancher who lost his summer pasture in the Johnstown Fire. Photo courtesy of Benny Burdick.
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