The devastation the wildfires across Nebraska have caused this past year is unimaginable. Communities and people’s lives have changed forever.The estimated total acres burned in Nebraska by wildfires in 2026 to date is 981,502, with the Morrill fire in the Sandhills estimated at 642,029 acres.Though not the highest priority, one item that should be addressed in the near future is the risk of invasive plants appearing in areas that have never had them before.
Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept for identifying potentially invasive species prior to or just as their establishment is taking place. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan can be developed to manage, contain, and potentially eradicate the invasive species before it spreads further. This will help to avoid costly, long-term control efforts.
Landowners and managers should be aware of this potential problem and be ready to act should the situation arise.
