Local health departments and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are preparing to launch a wildfire recovery survey aimed at understanding the long-term impacts of the 2026 spring wildfires across central and western Nebraska. The effort, led by the Water, Climate and Health Program within UNMC’s College of Public Health, will run from June 22 through June 26 in multiple counties, including Arthur, Dawson, Frontier, Gosper, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, Phelps, and Thomas.
Assessment teams will go door-to-door in wildfire-affected areas, conducting voluntary surveys with residents living within five miles of burn zones. The Rapid Needs Assessment will gather information on how wildfires have affected community health, identify challenges faced by rural residents, and evaluate potential impacts to water quality. Households selected to participate will receive free water testing along with a wildfire cleanup kit. Public health officials say the information collected will help guide future disaster preparedness efforts and strengthen response strategies for rural Nebraska communities.
