Nebraska Rancher Recalls Bison’s Natural Response to Wildfires

New Nebraska wildfires near containment, but damages still mount for ranchers across the region.

LINCOLN, NEB. (RFD NEWS) — As another rash of wildfires burned across Nebraska, officials on the ground say conditions are improving. Looking at the two most recent fires, officials say the Minor Fire is now 100 percent contained after burning more than 14,000 acres in recent days. The Ashby Fire, which has burned more than 36,000 acres, is now 97 percent contained.

However, these wildfires and others in recent months across Farm Country this spring have left a path of destruction, causing damage still being tallied, including the Morrill Fire, the largest in Nebraska’s history. Nebraska bison producer Dave Schroth says it appeared the animals knew what was happening as the flames began to roll in.

“The herd was in a group, you know, they’re not spread out; they were pretty tight up on a hill,’ Schroth recalled. “It’s almost like they were trying to see where it was. You know, as mainly wild animals still, [bison] understand fires. They’ve grown up with fire for generations. And so, they kind of get it. But we were very fortunate that we didn’t have to do anything.”

The Morrill Fire was brought under control after days of multi-state efforts to extinguish it.

Related Stories
RanchHER Season 2, Episode 9
Premieres Tue, 11/5/24 – 9 PM ET | 8 PM CT | 7 PM MT | 6 PM PT
RanchHER Sarah Kieckhefer joined the Market Day Report on Tuesday morning to discuss the new episode of the show featuring her, which premieres tonight only on RFD-TV.
Let’s meet Maggie McDonald of the Magnolia FFA Chapter in Arkansas, one of the National FFA Organization’s American Star Award finalists with a placement in Agribusiness.
Premieres Tue, 10/29/24 – 9 PM ET | 8 PM CT | 7 PM MT | 6 PM PT
October 23–26, 2024
Proud Cajun RanchHER Julie Trahan runs West Hackberry Cattle Company with her husband, Mark, deep in Louisiana’s coastal marshes.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us with his 2026 cattle market outlook and insights on beef prices.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.