February wildfires kill livestock, injure responders

Wildfires ripped across areas of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Nebraska, killing livestock, destroying structures and sending firefighters to the hospital with fire- and smoke-related injuries. Winds gusting over 65 miles per hour drove flames through dry fuel, and kept air support grounded.

The largest fire, known as the Ranger Road fire, ignited due to unknown causes in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and crossed the state line into southwestern Kansas, burning over 283,000 acres. The towns of Ashland and Englewood, Kan., were evacuated, as were rural residents.

“The Ashland area was the most destructive area,” said Jane Nash Dewall, who ranches with family in the area. “We had to evacuate. We did pen what cows we could and pulled the yearling heifers off the hay field into the bare corral lots.”

Dewall was able to return home around 10 p.m.

“We had no damage, just a huge amount of smoke debris flying around with dust. The winds were 60 miles an hour — just horrible, but no flames.”

The fire was stopped about 10 miles from her ranch, but others in the community suffered serious losses.

“Our son-in-law lost most of his cows and calves,” she said. “They shot around 200 cows. He is now piling them, counting them and preparing them for burial. His entire ranch burned. Fortunately, he had his weaned calves and bred heifers in other parts of the county and they are fine. He backfired around his hayyard and did save it and the feed truck.”

DROUGHT CONDITIONS

The National Interagency Fire Center indicates that the state of Kansas, much of Texas, and parts of Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming are at risk for “above-normal” significant wildfire potential. The U.S. Drought Monitor map shows “abnormally dry” to “extreme drought” areas growing across Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas, with pockets of “exceptional drought” in Texas and Colorado. Continued dry and windy conditions and low relative humidity are keeping the fire danger high. As of Thursday, Feb. 19, the National Weather Service has a Red Flag Warning in effect for areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that three firefighters were injured when their fire truck rolled in a pasture.

“This past Tuesday, troopers in Troop I responded to an overturned Rosston fire truck during the Ranger Road wildfire between Rosston and Englewood Kan. Three firefighters were on board. Two were riding on the back of the truck as they navigated a smoke-filled pasture with extremely limited visibility.

“The driver, unable to see through the dense smoke, drove into a burning canyon. The truck overturned, trapping the driver and ejecting the two firefighters who were riding on the rear.

“After noticing a missing fire truck, fellow first responders searched for the fireman as every second counted. Once located, all three men were rescued from the burning canyon and transported by ambulance to a hospital. Each sustained serious injuries. The trapped driver suffered second-degree burns to his upper body.

“We are grateful for the fellow first responders who, like these brave Rosston firefighters, came from across the state to assist Oklahomans as this massive wildfire spread. They pushed flames back from homes, evacuated residents, and moved livestock for people they may never meet.

“Please keep these three firefighters in your thoughts as they recover, along with the men and women who continue responding to the ongoing wildfire threat,” stated a social media post.

A fire near Long Pine, Neb., threatened a feed lot and forced evacuations of several homes. Tracie Booth, Brown and Rock county emergency manager, told News Channel Nebraska that it ignited from a power line.

Any producers impacted by the wildfires are encouraged to get in touch with their local Farm Service Agency office.

Oklahoma Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, issued the following statement on the ongoing wildfires.

“I’m at a loss for words at the size and scale of the wildfires sweeping across Woodward, Texas and Beaver counties. My heart goes out to my constituents who have suffered property damage and to those who have had to leave their homes behind. I also know there are many families in the area who are anxiously waiting to see what happens next as firefighters work tirelessly to get these wildfires contained.

“I’m grateful to all the firefighters, emergency management personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders working on the front lines. My family and I will keep these brave first responders in our prayers as they risk their lives to keep local residents safe.

“I’ve been in constant contact with local emergency officials and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management as they work together to keep Oklahomans safe. I appreciate Gov. [Kevin] Stitt’s swift action in declaring a State of Emergency for Beaver, Texas and Woodward counties, which will help with emergency response and recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also approved requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Stevens Fire in Texas County, the Ranger Road Fire in Beaver County and the 43 Fire in Woodward County.

“The residents of Northwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle are resilient. We have faced wildfires before, and once this is all said and done, we will join together to recover and rebuild. As high winds make conditions unpredictable, I urge everyone to remain cautious and stay informed. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.”

To assist livestock producers affected by the Ranger Road fire, please reach out to one of the following:

SHAW FEEDYARD:

Shaw Feedyard will be a dropping point for hay. Please contact Ryan Koons at (620) 805-4682 if you have any questions. The address is 2428 CR 15 in Ashland, KS.

ASHLAND FEED & SEED:

Ashland Feed & Seed will be a dropping point for hay and feed. The address is 1975 CR U, Ashland, KS 67831. Contact the main office: (620) 635-2856.

Cash donations can be made to the ASHLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. One hundred percent of the money will be redistributed to those in need. You can donate directly by clicking https://www.ashlandcf.com/donate-today or mail or drop off monetary donations to STOCKGROWERS STATE BANK, 622 Main Street, Ashland, KS 67831, or mail checks to ASHLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, P.O. Box 276, Ashland, KS 67831.