In the aftermath of the wildfires that swept across the Texas Panhandle last week, Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster for Gray, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Roberts and Wheeler counties.
The governor has also asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a Secretarial Disaster Designation to activate the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Loan Program to help eligible farmers and ranchers rebuild and recover from losses sustained by the wildfires.
The wildfires “have had a devastating impact on a significant portion of the Texas Panhandle,” Abbott said in a news release. “Texans have always been resilient in their response to disasters and this time will be no different. Cecilia and I thank the first responders who are working tirelessly to help all those affected, and we continue to ask that all Texans keep the Panhandle community and the families of the victims of this disaster in their thoughts and prayers.”
Abbott also joined Governors Sam Brownback of Kansas, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Mary Fallin of Oklahoma in sending a letter to the USDA calling for the temporary suspension of grazing restrictions in the Conservation Reserve Program after devastating wildfires. The letter also asks for the USDA-Farm Service Agency to expedite implementation of the Emergency Conservation Program that will provide critical financial resources to affected farmers and ranchers to rebuild fences.
“Emergency grazing authorization would provide immediate relief to livestock producers in areas affected by the ongoing wildfires,” the letter reads. “These fires have also devastated critical infrastructure, including fencing, on farms and ranches in our states. The Emergency Conservation Program provides critical financial resources to affected farmers and ranchers to rebuild fences. We urge the Farm Service Agency to expedite the implementation of the Emergency Conservation Program in our states. The sooner the program is implemented, the faster the livestock industries in our states can begin to rebuild from this devastating event.”
As of 7 p.m. March 12, the last of the wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle, the Perryton Fire, was declared 100 percent contained.
The Texas A&M Forest Service released final acreage burned for the Panhandle wildfires: Perryton fire, 318,516 acres; Dumas Complex fire, 28,800 acres; and Lefors East fire, 135,000 acres.
The exact number of livestock lost is still being determined.
As of March 11, the livestock supply points have enough feed and hay to meet ranchers needs for two to three weeks. The supply points are asking for financial donations or fencing supplies.
If you would like to donate, Texas Farm Bureau has also established the Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, checks should be made out and sent to:
Texas Farm Bureau Agriculture Research and Education Foundation
Panhandle Wildfire Committee
P.O. Box 2689
Waco, TX 76702-2689
Attn: Cyndi Gerik
This program will collect and distribute monetary contributions only.
Click here to apply for assistance from this fund. Applications must be submitted by May 1.
Affected ranchers are asked to call their Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offices with any reports of dead or injured cattle. Office numbers of affected counties are:
- Gray County (Pampa)–806-669-8033
- Hemphill County (Canadian)–806-323-9114
- Lipscomb County (Lipscomb)–806-862-4601
- Ochiltree County (Perryton)–806-435-4501
- Roberts County (Miami)–806-868-3191
- Wheeler County (Wheeler)–806-826-5243