Helping OUR RANCHING COMMUNITY
Starts With You
The 2024 House Draw Fire in Johnson County, Wyoming devastated local ranchers.
272 square miles burned in 35 hours following a lightning strike in the largest wildland fire in Wyoming history. Local ranchers lost pasture, fences, livestock, and sleep - we are determined to keep them from losing their livelihoods now. Neighbors helping neighbors is the way of the West. Here is your opportunity to contribute to a community relief fund that will directly assist our neighbors in need - People like the Welles who were trying to locate their cattle and clean up their nearly-lost home, the Christians who were frantically changing their operation to accommodate lost pasture in the midst of selling their calves, the Caminos who are trying to replace 42 miles of lost fence so their sheep have safe winter ground, the Bentons who worked tirelessly to save their injured animals while continuing their ranching operations, and the many other multi-generational Johnson County families who look upon their homesteaded land now with tired eyes.
We are committed to protecting and preserving the uniqueness of Johnson County, Wyoming, where animal husbandry, land stewardship, and economic vitality work in synergy for the greater good.
$25M in initial ESTIMATED LOSS TO LANDOWNERS, $6.2M spent to suppress the fire
174,216+/- acres lost, 85% PRIVATE LAND
590+ MILES OF LOST FENCE
$200,000+ donated to date
widespread, long-term impacts to ranching operations in the heart of cattle & sheep country
about the johnson county fire relief fund
neighbors
helping
neighbors.
The Johnson County Communities Foundation, a 501c3, created the Johnson County Fire Relief Fund to act as a central donation point for Johnson County residents affected by the 2024 House Draw Fire. Donations go directly to Johnson County residents in need on an as-needed basis as determined by a board of local community members, leaders, and officials. This funds distribution group works closely with a Producer Advocacy Committee that acts as a “voice” for affected ranchers, taking into account the nuances of the various operations and families affected. Things like:
Fencing not covered by government disaster programs
Wildlife-friendly fencing (four-wire or less, approved spacing)
Ranch infrastructure not covered by government disaster programs or insurance
Invasive weed species and pest management
Grass/habitat restoration improvement projects
Assistance offsetting lost income (e.g. rent, outfitting)
IN-KIND DONATIONS
HAY
Hay is needed heading into the winter and through the spring as ranchers shift operations due to lost winter feed grounds. If you would like to donate hay and/or trucking, please contact the county extension office, which is organizing needs and distribution so producers most efficiently/timely receive hay donations.
Contact:
Micah Most
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator
University of Wyoming (http://www.uwyo.edu/) Extension
Johnson County Office
Buffalo, WY 82834
Main Office 307-684-7522
mmost@uwyo.edu
FENCING MATERIALS
Disaster relief funds to cost-share fencing will take time to assess and release. Immediate livestock safety and animal husbandry practices will require some fencing to be done immediately, which require materials now. The Northeast Wyoming and Southern Montana Wildfire Fencing Relief can receive monetary donations through the Big Horn Equestrian Center (501c3) to help with short-term and immediate fencing needs in the tri-county area and Southern Montana. Gordon Taylor (307-684-2221) is the point of contact to make these donations, checks made out to Big Horn Equestrian Center can be dropped off at MTR (Miles Rives), Farmers Coop (Gene Bard), and Buffalo Sale Barn (Taylor Snook).
VOLUNTEER & HELP
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
The Johnson County community came together to stop a devastating fire - fighting it side-by-side and jumping in to help neighbors without question. Many of us watched as flames consumed the land, worried sick about our friends’ safety, homes, land, animals, and livelihood, and feeling helpless ourselves.
As we look forward to recovery efforts, the weeks and months following the fire will be the hardest. The outpouring of support and volunteering to help those in need has already been felt by affected ranchers. As they look to assess the damage, locate cattle, return to their homes, and resume their already busy lives and operations, these ranchers are feeling overwhelmed by coordinating those who want to help.
We understand many people want to help but don’t know where to begin. Here are a few ways that we anticipate that our affected friends and neighbors could use your help:
Cooking and delivering freezer meals to families
Grocery runs and delivery
Cleaning homes that were slurried and/or ash-filled
Providing childcare during workdays
Supplying brown bag lunches and drinks to fencing and gathering crews
Tearing down and removing burnt fences ahead of fencing crews
Among many other household services and physical labor activities so that ranchers can focus on activities and rebuilding that require their expertise.
Summit Church will coordinate this volunteerism, bringing the community to affected ranchers to get Johnson County and surrounding areas the support needed.
If you need resources and/or would like help coordinating the outpouring of support, Summit Church will do our best to take that on for you. Please call 684-9548 or email jodi@summitwy.org
If you want to volunteer, please use this link to sign up for various areas of service. We will then be able to orchestrate help based on timing, location, and ongoing recovery projects. If you have other questions, contact Jodi at Summit Church.
rebuilding, together
As we look to put ranching operations back to work, volunteers will be needed to assist with rebuilding fence. Please contact Johnson County Cattlewomen at 307-214-9937 as they organize skilled labor to build fence and help with other ranch labor activities. If you don’t know how to build fence and want to help, debris removal ahead of fencing crews will be critical in rebuilding efforts.