Governor Jim Pillen-(R)-Nebraska. (Courtesy of Governor's Office)LINCOLN–(KFOR Mar. 21)–Friday, Governor Jim Pillen, joined by Sherry Vinton, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Erv Portis, Assistant Director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, visited Valentine and Gothenburg to meet with those who have been on the frontlines of the fires near Valentine (Anderson Bridge Fire) and Gothenburg (Cottonwood Fire) firefighting efforts. The Governor, Director Vinton, and Assistant Director Portis visited the Valentine Fire Department, followed by a stop at the Gothenburg Impact Center. At both locations the team spoke with and answered questions from firefighters, emergency management representatives, volunteers and community members. “What we have been through is historic and we can’t get everything figured out today,” said Gov. Pillen. “But we need to get processes in place and I think we are making headway there. We have the resources here as we figure out what we need.” As of Friday, more than 800,000 total acres have been burned across the Anderson Bridge, Morrill County, Road 203, and Cottonwood fires. According to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, the Morrill Fire is 98% contained, and the Cottonwood, Road 203, and Anderson Bridge fires are 80% contained. Gov. Pillen noted that Nebraska isn’t out of the woods yet, as much of the state will be in a Red Flag Warning on Saturday. Gov. Pillen expressed gratitude to the federal government for its quick assistance helping to contain the fires. He also shared that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is expected to visit Nebraska on Monday to survey fire ravaged areas and receive the latest briefing on conditions. “I know some of you have had some pretty heavy hits,” added NDA Director Vinton. “We are going to try and work through some of the burdensome red tape that has always been part of these programs as much as we can.” The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is maintaining a running list of resources. It can be found at www.nda.nebraska.gov/disasterresources. Search under the title: Available and Requested Donations and Services. ...read more read less