Latest pictures from the Panhandle fires.
Over 1.5 million acres have burned so far from a wildfire in western Texas.
A series of wildfires that sparked a couple of weeks ago has wreaked havoc on the Panhandle, scorching more than 1.5 million acres, destroying hundreds of homes and taking the lives of at least 2 residents, in addition to thousands of head of cattle.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire is one of more that five wildfires that have ignited in the Panhandle this week - and it made history as the largest wildfire on record in Texas. The wildfire grew to five times the size of New York City and larger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
7,000 cows are dead in the Texas Wildfire
The Texas Panhandle wildfires are taking a significant toll on the region's agricultural industry. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told CBS News on Thurday morning that preliminary numbers show more than 7,000 head of cattle have died in the fires and that he believes the final toll could end up including thousands more.
The State has yet to get all the count of lost cattle in the fires, he said, adding that the 7,000 death toll does not include cattle that will have to be euthanized due to their injuries. More than 1 million acres of land have burned up in the fires, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in Texas history.
"Their hooves are burned off, their utters are burnt beyond -- they can't nurse their babies" he said. "We'll actually end up having to put a lot of cattle down just because they won't be able to make it, even though they survived."
Cattle have little pasture land to graze on.
From FCFI Disaster Relief Volunteer Dan Miller:
Good Morning Everyone,
I've been gathering information on the Texas Wildfire situation the past few days and would like to share a few ideas/resources.
This is a link to The Canadian (Texas) Record local newpaper and another link to a Canadian Record Facebook post. They made a post of young men from Missouri taking hay and feed for immediate relief.
Beaten but unbroken | The Canadian Record
(1) American Farmer | Facebook
On a FCFI note, I've already been approached and have at least $1,000 seed money without even putting out an ask. My other thought is, through posting on FCFI's website, should we physically buy fence posts and wire, basically assembling a trailer load of new or like new supplies? So many farmers have taken fences out in this area and piles of posts are sitting behind many sheds. Or is it a better plan to purchase all new supplies? Can we work with a supplier to purchase posts slightly above costs? There are manufacturers of steel fence posts all over the country. Please pray that we proceed in the best way possible to help farmers and ranchers in Texas and Oklahoma recover from this devastating loss. And pray as a Nation, for protection over our food supply. Thank you for your prayers and support. Dan
