Track Wildfires with New Tool

Apr 24, 2026
By Farms.com

New Platform Helps Track Wildfires and Guide Land Recovery Decisions

Natalie Jones from IANR Communications highlights that a new digital platform is helping Nebraska landowners understand wildfire impacts and monitor land recovery. The tool supports farmers, ranchers, and land managers as they work to restore grasslands and improve land health after wildfire events.

The platform combines mapping technology, research data, and field observations into a single system. It allows users to study how landscapes recover over time and supports better decision-making for both short-term recovery and long-term land management. The system focuses on working grasslands and encourages sustainable practices.

“Wildfire recovery unfolds over years, not months,” said Dirac Twidwell, rangeland ecologist at Nebraska. “What we’ve built here is not just a map of fires — it’s a system that helps people understand recovery, anticipate change and respond with better information.”

The tool is built on years of research across the Great Plains. Twidwell’s team has examined more than 1,300 wildfire events since 1985. This data helps users explore past fires and understand how different environmental conditions affect recovery.

Users can view wildfire locations, examine fire size and timing, and analyze vegetation changes before and after fires. The platform also allows comparisons between past and present conditions, helping landowners make better management decisions.

Satellite technology is used to track grassland recovery. Charts and visual tools show how vegetation changes over time, helping users understand recovery patterns. This information supports planning for grazing, planting, and overall land use.

The platform also connects landowners with Nebraska Extension experts and partner groups. This makes it easier to access guidance, attend training sessions, and learn best practices for recovery.

The project includes new monitoring methods that combine scientific research with landowner participation. It also supports continued research to improve future recovery efforts.

As wildfire challenges increase, this platform offers valuable support. It helps landowners manage recovery, protect natural resources, and plan for long-term sustainability.

Visit the website: https://wildfire-monitoring.unl.edu/.

Photo Credit: nebraska-fires

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.