A view of the Cottonwood Fire in Dawson County, Neb., on March 13. The blaze has raged for seven days. (Nebraska State Patrol via Associated Press)
March 20, 2026 6:24 PM, EDT
Key Takeaways:
- Nebraska is seeking truckers to haul hay and supplies for more than 35,000 cattle displaced by wildfires that have burned more than 800,000 acres.
- The Nebraska Trucking Association is offering fuel stipends of 50 cents per mile for up to 500 miles to offset high diesel costs.
- Emergency oversize and overweight permits have been issued to speed delivery of feed to affected areas.
Truckers willing to haul hay for cattle rescued from Nebraska’s largest wildfire are being sought and offered a stipend to offset high fuel prices after a blaze that has so far torched more than 800,000 acres.
Relief efforts for displaced ranchers and cattle are being coordinated with the Nebraska Trucking Association, the state Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Cattlemen and other local groups.
Nebraska needs trucks to transport donations of feed and supplies for more than 35,000 cattle displaced and thousands of acres lost to wildfires still active as of March 20.
“We have deployed our Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund, which is a charitable outreach of ours, as a stipend for truckers to help defray the really high cost of diesel right now,” Kent Grisham, NTA’s CEO, told Transport Topics.
He described an apocalyptic scene in which the horizon is “a wall of fire and a wall of smoke,” adding there was a frantic rush to move the cattle from grazing areas in the fire zones to safer areas.
“These herds are now all mixed. They’ve gotten moved into pens because there’s no fresh grazing land in the area left until it grows back,” Grisham said. “That’s why hay is such a huge commodity that’s got to get hauled in right now because those cattle have got to get fed.”
The state has issued emergency oversize and overweight permit allowances to motor carriers operating in Nebraska to transport feed to stricken areas.
What is Authorized
- 12-foot maximum width
- Loaded height of no more than 15 feet, 6 inches
- Maximum loaded trailer length of 59 feet, 6 inches
Truckers are being sought to haul hay, feed and fencing materials.
“On a regional basis, we need trucks,” Grisham said. “We need flatbeds, and we need them to pick up primarily hay at designated places because we have thousands and thousands of head of cattle that are stranded with nothing to eat.”
Grisham said truckers in other states have called or sent emails wanting to help, but they are struggling to free up trucks and drivers.
So more aerial views of Nebraska wildfires as seen by NSP Trooper Pilots on survey flights Friday.
There is a massive effort underway by countless entities and volunteers to respond. Please continue to follow local emergency orders as they are issued. pic.twitter.com/ophK6MwRpY
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) March 14, 2026
“Providing all that fuel is kind of a different problem for them because of the incredibly high cost of fuel on top of all their other really high costs these days,” he said.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is maintaining an online spreadsheet listing resources under “Available and Requested Donations and Services” at nda.nebraska.gov/disasterresources.
“We’re asking for actual drivers and wheels, but beyond that, we’re asking the trucking community who can’t necessarily respond with the truck to respond with some dollars so that we can continue to help the truckers who can make those trips defray that cost of fuel.”
Fuel Stipend Details
The stipend offers 50 cents per mile for up to 500 miles per trip. The fund has pledged an initial $5,000.
Truckers willing to haul goods must register with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and provide photo proof documenting pickup and delivery of supplies. Proof may include a picture of a bill of lading or equivalent.
- Stipend payments require:
- Photographs of pickup location and date
- Photographic proof of drop-off location and date
- Round-trip mileage
Grisham noted NTA remains committed to working with the state and others in the relief efforts.
“It’s all hands on deck,” he said. “I’m always so proud of truckers who are ready to answer those kind of calls.”
