Financial, hay donations needed for area ranchers

Financial donations are being accepted to assist local ranchers in recovering from the devastating Red Canyon Fire. Donations can be taken to any Big Horn Federal Bank to be deposited in the 2025 Red Canyon Fire Fund. You can also call the local bank at 864-2156 to make an electronic payment donation.

The recovery from this fire will take many years. Miles of fence has to be rebuilt and water sources for livestock need to be redeveloped.

Some ranchers have lost all their remaining summer, fall and winter pasture. The destroyed rangeland will need to be managed to prevent invasive plant species from establishing.

All money collected will be distributed to local producers by the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association (WSGA) through an application process. All money collected locally will be distributed to local ranchers.

The initial round of applications are due to the WSGA no later than September 15, 2025. Contact Kathy Sorensen at the Hot Springs County Conservation District Office or by calling 307-921-9327 for an application or more information.

Hay donations and requests are being accepted through a website created by University of Wyoming Extension. Whether you have hay to share or urgently need hay, this tool makes it simple to connect. It’s a public community resource designed to get help where it’s needed most—fast, direct, and neighbor-to-neighbor.

Visite the webiste at https://wyoextension.org/hotspringscounty/wyoming-emergency-hay-assistance/