Organizations and businesses in Wyoming are coming together to raise funds for donating fence supplies to farmers and ranchers impacted by the summer wildfires.
Five major fires have ravaged farm and ranch lands in the northern part of the state: House Draw, Flat Rock, Constitution, Remington, and Fish Creek fires.
Dave Belus, a rancher near Buffalo, lost over 46,000 acres of his land to the House Draw fire, which accounts for about 90 percent of his ranch.
Witnessing the devastation, Belus recalled the moment when he saw the plume of smoke rising as he drove back to his property.
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Ten cattle lost their lives, and many fenceposts were destroyed by the blaze. Belus described the devastation and the loss he experienced on his property.
Despite the destruction, the buildings miraculously remained intact. It was a close call for Belus and his family, especially with the flames reaching his daughter’s home.
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With minimal grazing land left and destroyed fences unable to contain cattle, Belus and others face significant challenges in rebuilding their livelihoods.
The Farmer’s Co-op in Sheridan, represented by Gene Bard, is partnering with community members and organizations like the Big Horn Equestrian Center to raise funds for fence rebuilding efforts.
Donations can be directed to the Equestrian Center or the Farmer’s Co-op, with all proceeds contributing to the restoration of fences for farmers across the state.
Belus expressed his gratitude for the support, recognizing the solidarity during hardship and the shared effort to overcome the challenges ahead.
