How to support Texas wildfire victims from afar
TEXAS PANHANDLE (KXAN) — Wildfires blazing across the Texas Panhandle have burned more than one million acres as of Thursday morning.
The fires have devastated ranch and farmlands in the area. Groups across the state are sharing ways people can help support those affected by the fires, even from afar.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is setting up Animal Supply Points in several locations to accept donations of hay, feed, fencing supplies, cow feed and milk replacer to support livestock owners impacted.
The service said the purpose of the Animal Supply Point is to meet area producers’ most critical needs such as providing feed for cattle while they assess their individual operation’s other needs.
Physical donations/Supply points for livestock
Several Animal Supply Points are being set up through AgriLife Extension’s DAR program. Those with hay, feed or fencing materials to donate, or with equipment to help haul hay, should contact the following supply points and coordinators:
Gray County Animal Supply Point: Clyde Carruth Pavilion, 301 Bull Barn Drive, Pampa. Contact Marcus Preuninger at 806-669-8033 or 325-728-0477.
Hemphill County Animal Supply Point at Canadian AH&N Ranch Supply, 100 Hackberry St., Canadian. Contact Andy Holloway at 806-323-9114.
Donations of hay can also be made through the Texas Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline. And, a relief fund has been established through the STAR Fund Disaster Assistance through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Monetary donations
Direct monetary donations in Gray County should be sent to: City of Pampa – Attn: Finance, Box 2499, Pampa, Texas 79066-2499, reference 02/27/2024 Fire, or made by phone or in person at FirstBank Southwest-Pampa at 806-669-8007. Reference City of Pampa donation for Smokehouse Creek Fire.
To make donations for people who lost their homes in Hemphill County, go to First Baptist Canadian at http://fbccanadian.org/firehelp/.
The Austin Disaster Relief Network said it is preparing to respond to the fires as well.
“We’re praying and monitoring the situation to determine how to support our North Texas neighbors in these initial hours,” said ADRN Executive Director Dwight Bailey Jr. “Many of these people, including family members of friends I know personally, have been forced to evacuate and could lose everything overnight. Our Texas neighbors need all the help we and the Greater Austin community can give.”
The nonprofit is encouraging the public to support its disaster response efforts by donating at adrn.org/txpanhandle.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
