ASHLAND, KANSAS (RFD NEWS) — The Ranger Road Fire has now consumed 283,000 acres across the Oklahoma Panhandle, and officials with the Oklahoma Forestry Service reported that the fire was 20 percent contained as of Thursday evening. Each day, more support has shown up to help.
This video is from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, showing a firefighting aircraft laying down water to help suppress the flames. You can see it flying over the plains there, with a lot of thick smoke all around.
These images were sent to RFD NEWS by Crystal Lotspeich. The fire forced them to move a number of cattle, some of which were pregnant or caring for baby calves. Crystal says they got all those animals to a safer pasture. She says farmers and ranchers from all over are lending a hand where they can.
Brady Huck with Empower-Ag tells us situations like this really show what farm country is all about. “Lots of brave people are out there fighting the fires. Lots of community support goes into this,” Huck says. “It’s really all-hands-on-deck when this happens, and these types of events and tragedies, they really highlight the strength of rural communities out there. So, lots of volunteers are running on little to no sleep. They’re caretakers for the American cow herd, livestock out there. They manage and assess risk, and where can they make the most immediate impact? What’s the most pressing thing to tackle, and try to just do what they can in these tough situations? So, it takes lots of grit and bravery. It’s just a different breed of people out here in America’s Heartland. And sometimes tragedies like this kind of bring us closer together.”
Huck has been keeping an eye on one operation, there in Kansas, just outside the Oklahoma Panhandle.
“Gardner Angus Ranch is in Ashland, Kansas, and huge in the cattle business and the Angus breed, and just, they got hit hard in 2017, and I think they got hit hard again here in this last fire,” Huck says. “So a little too close to home, nine years, it just doesn’t seem fair to get hit twice in that time span. If you want to help, if you want to do something, the KLA, Kansas Livestock Association, you can get on there and make some donations there. Ashland Community Foundation, Ashland Feed and Seed, the biggest help I think going forward is going to be hay, hay supplies, fencing supplies down the road, and certainly prayers every day to heal and recover.”
Greg Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch joined us to share firsthand insight into the wildfire’s impact, the strength of rural communities, and what ranchers are facing in the days ahead.
On the Ground: Gardiner Angus Ranch
As the Ranger Road Fire continues to threaten farms and ranches in the Southern Plains, producers on the ground are facing rapidly changing conditions and difficult days ahead. The wildfire has grown significantly in recent days, impacting operations and communities across the region.
Gardiner Angus Ranch rancher Greg Gardiner joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to describe what conditions look like right now as the fire continues to move through the area.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Gardiner shared what the past several days have been like for his operation and reflected on the challenges of navigating yet another major wildfire. He also highlighted the strong sense of community that emerges during disasters like this, with neighbors helping neighbors as ranchers work together to respond and recover.
He spoke candidly about the long road to rebuilding after devastating events and the resilience required to move forward, even knowing similar disasters could happen again.
Finally, he let viewers at home know which supplies and support are most needed right now and what the coming days may look like for those affected.
Officials say getting supplies to farms and ranches will be critical in the coming days.
On the Ground: Oklahoma Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur also joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the ongoing wildfire threat, impacts to agriculture, and available resources for producers in the region.
In her interview with RFD NEWS, Arthur provided an update on current conditions in the region, discussed how the situation is evolving on the ground, and outlined what conditions look like for producers as firefighting efforts continue.
She also detailed his visits to damaged areas and meetings with impacted farmers and ranchers, and addressed how conditions compare to the 2017 Starbuck Fire that struck a similar area in 2019, the fire’s potential ripple effects on agriculture, and where the greatest needs may lie moving forward.
Finally, Arthur also outlined ways producers can protect their operations during active wildfire conditions, as well as the resources currently available to affected communities.
How You Can Help: Southern Plains Wildfire Relief Efforts
According to local officials, many have reached out with generous offers to help. Right now, they say the greatest needs are hay, available grass, and financial support.
If you are able to help, please consider contacting or donating through the following locations:
Hay & Feed Drop-Off Locations
Shaw Feedyard
Shaw Feedyard will serve as a drop-off point for hay.
Contact: Ryan Koons at (620) 805-4682 with any questions
Address: 2428 CR 15, Ashland, KS
Ashland Feed & Seed
Ashland Feed & Seed is accepting hay and feed donations.
Main office: (620) 635-2856
Address: 1975 CR U, Ashland, KS 67831
Financial Donations
Cash donations can be made to the Ashland Community Foundation. 100% of donated funds are redistributed directly to those in need. Ways to give:
Donate online at www.ashlandcf.com/donate-today
Mail or drop off donations: Stockgrowers State Bank, 622 Main Street, Ashland, KS 67831
Mail checks to: Ashland Community Foundation, P.O. Box 276, Ashland, KS 67831
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Market Day Report will continue to monitor the Ranger Road Fire’s impact on agriculture and affected rural communities, with updates on air and social platforms as new information becomes available.
