After a year of devastating wildfires in the northern panhandle, lawmakers look to improve resources available to combat these fires.
Last year, 500-thousand acres were burned, 65 structures were lost, and 12 million dollars was spent to fight wildfires in Nebraska.
With another dry summer expected, Senator Al Davis introduced a bill that aims to reduce those numbers.
His bill would allow the Nebraska Forest Service to contract with aviation companies to place air tankers during fire season at the Chadron and Valentine airports.
This bill has a $1.7 million dollar price tag on it, but senators argue it is well worth it.
The bill would provide funding for forest thinning to reduce the risk of wildfire risk and provide training on fire suppression.
