A large wildfire that started in Woods County, Okla., and spread to Comanche and Barber counties in Kansas burned an estimated 397,420 acres, hay reserves, fences and other personal property March 22-23.
An immediate need for area ranchers is hay. The Farmers Cooperative (South Central Avenue) in Coldwater and Farmers Cooperative Equity Company (1447 NW River Road) in Medicine Lodge have been identified as locations to receive hay donations. 
Tractors will be available to unload. Questions on delivery logistics can be directed to Sandra Levering at 620-518-2247 for Coldwater or Chris Boyd at 620-243-2584 for Medicine Lodge.
The KLA has been met with overwhelming generosity in their efforts to coordinate support for the victims of the wildfire in southcentral Kansas this week. The large wildfire started in Oklahoma and spread to Comanche and Barber counties in Kansas and burned an estimated 397,420 acres, hay reserves, fences and other personal property March 22-25. 
Due to an incredible response in the first few days after the fire, hay needs of area ranchers have been met for the time being. KLA Chief Executive Officer Matt Teagarden and local organizers in Barber and Comanche counties expressed their sincere appreciation for all the people who donated or transported hay to affected ranchers. 
The next priority for victims of the fire is cash donations to the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) for fencing supplies. KLF is the charitable arm of KLA. Tax deductible checks can be made payable to the Kansas Livestock Foundation. Put “Disaster Relief” in the memo line. Send to 6031 S.W. 37th, Topeka, KS 66614. Member recommendations for where relief is most needed in Comanche, Barber, Harvey or Reno counties can be made by calling 785-273-5115.
Several members are generously donating proceeds from the sale of animals to KLF for disaster relief. A heifer donated by KLA President Elect David Clawson and Clawson Ranch Partnership will be sold March 31 at Pratt Livestock to generate funds for KLF. The heifer will be re-sold several times. In addition, KW Cattle Company will donate proceeds to KLF from the sale of lot 21, an Angus bull. The bull will sell March 29 Due to the KW sale near Fort Scott. For more information on the bull, go to www.kwcattle.com.
The large wildfire, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback declared a State of Disaster Emergency for the affected area. This declaration authorizes state resources to assist communities impacted by the fires.