You Can Help Wyoming Residents Impacted By Fire

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. FOLLOW THIS LINK!

Think of 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 were left 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.

There are many other multi-generational Johnson County families who look upon their homesteaded land now with tired eyes.

About the Johnson County Fire Relief Fund:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

The Johnson County Community 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 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 that is not covered by government disaster programs.

Wildlife-friendly fencing (four-wire or less, approved spacing).

Ranch infrastructure that is 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).

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 watched as flames consumed the land, worried sick about our friends’ safety, homes, land, animals, and livelihood, and feeling helpless themselves.

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.

Here are a few ways that we anticipate 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 that allow ranchers to focus on rebuilding that requires 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 its 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.

They 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.