How to help those impacted by Wyo. wildfires

Four fires in northeast Wyoming have impacted residents of the area including burning up grazing land. Residents of Big Horn County have been asking how they can help. 

In Buffalo MTR Feed Store has set up an account for those impacted to buy fencing supplies. The store is working with its supplier to buy in bulk and at a discounted rate.  The account will not only help those impacted in Wyoming but also in southern Montana, as one of the fires started in Wyoming and spread quickly into farmland in Montana. They are running the donations through Big Horn Equestrian Center, which is a non-profit. MTR Ranch Supply:  710 N. Main St, Buffalo, WY 82834. 307-684-9015. Big Horn Equestrian Center, 352 Bird Farm Road, Big Horn, WY 82801 307-673-0454. 

The Wyoming Rancher Fire Relief Facebook page was set up to help with hay, hauling and fencing supplies. There is an auction on the page with items such as cowboy hats, fly fishing access for four people, quilts, art, veterinary acupuncture and jewelry. A bank account has been set up at Converse County Bank. Donations may be made at www.wyrancherfirerelief.com or through VENMO@Wyrancherfirerelief. Put “fire donation” in the memo. 

Donations may also be made at First Northern Bank of Wyoming in Buffalo. Gordan Taylor is coordinating the fund.  Donations may be sent to 141 S. Main Street, Buffalo, WY 82834, 307-684-2211. 

Donna Nelson from Johnson County UW Extension is coordinating hay donations. She is matching donors with the producers that need hay. 

Her family ranch was impacted. Her brother and his daughter run the ranch. Ninety-five percent of their pasture was burnt.  While they didn’t’ lose any cattle, they did have cattle that had to be treated for burns. 

A man from North Dakota called her office. He had met people from Buffalo, Wyo. He is spearheading a donation drive there to help those impacted here. “It was very heartwarming,” said Nelson. 

Nelson mentioned that Buffalo Livestock Marketing held a rollover auction that raised over $40,000 for the relief fund. 

Call Nelson at 307-684-7522 to donate hay, trucks to haul, etc. 

 Lindsey Wood from Campbell County Cattlewomen is another contact for people to use if they want to help. They are a 501c that is accepting donations for ranchers impacted by the fire with a local committee to address distribution.

She said the Cattlewomen were getting calls because some people were concerned about donating online. Wood suggested the local NRCS offices. 

 Donations may be sent to Campbell County Cattlewomen at 8466 N. Hwy 14/16, Gillette, WY 82716/Lindsey Wood 307-670-0171.  

On Sept. 1 a new fire called the Silver Spoon Fire started east of the Remington Fire area.  Latest updates on the fires may be found on the Southwest Area Incident Management Team #5 Facebook page. 

Additional resources:

• Goven’s Farm & Ranch Supply:  Taking donations for feed/supplies. Mail checks to 100 South Burma Ave., Gillette, WY 82716 or call 307-682-9501. 

• NRCS, 500 W Lott Street, Buffalo, WY 82834 307-684-2526 

• NRCS, 1949 Sugarland Drive #102, Sheridan, WY 82801 307-672-5820. 

• NRCS, 601 S 4-J Road, Suite D, Gillette, WY 307-682-1824.