OKLAHOMA CITY (RFD NEWS) — Officials say the Ranger Road Fire is now 100 percent contained after burning nearly 300,000 acres in the Oklahoma Panhandle and parts of Kansas in the last eight days.
Many farm and ranch operations suffered significant losses across the region. We spoke with the Gardiner Angus Ranch last week, who reported a significant loss of cattle. Many other producers are also struggling with extensive damage to fencing.
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association President Michael Kelsey told RFD NEWS that you do not need to look far to see what Mother Nature took from some of these ranches.
“We’re honestly starting to hear some pretty concerning numbers regarding cattle loss, specifically some, maybe even some generational loss,” Kelsey said in an interview with RFD NEWS earlier this week. “What I mean by that is such an impact that ranchers are going to lose generations of genetics that they’ve been selecting, not just one or two or three head, hundreds of head, and a massive herd impact. So hopefully that data won’t continue to come through. But we’re gearing up for that.”
While several relief efforts have been set up to help, Kelsey says more is needed.
“A lot of times, what we’re told by individuals that have been impacted is some of the best aid beyond that, the immediate needs for hay and some feed resources. But honestly, some of the best needs and things that will meet their needs. The quickest is cash is funding because they may need to replace a well. They might need to buy some hay. They may need to put up some fencing. All those individuals’ needs are specific. And so monetary donations are the best.”
If you’d like to check out ways you can lend a hand to those fire victims, CLICK HERE.
READ MORE: Firm to Farm—Legal and Tax Issues Associated with Prairie Fires in Oklahoma and Kansas
