Local ranchers answer call for Oklahoma wildfire relief

Local ranchers and businesses came together this week to support livestock producers in Oklahoma whose grazing land has been destroyed by widespread wildfires across the region.

The fires, which began earlier this month in the Oklahoma Panhandle, have burned more than 300,000 acres and prompted evacuations, emergency declarations, and damage to ranchland across several counties. The largest blaze, known as the Ranger Road Fire, alone scorched more than 280,000 acres across Beaver and Harper counties.

Much of the damage has occurred in rural grazing areas, leaving ranchers scrambling to find feed for cattle after pastures were burned.

In response, Goodnight Steakhouse organized a local hay drive, asking area ranchers to donate round bales to be sent north to affected communities.

From late last week through Monday morning, trailers and pickups arrived at the Goodnight parking lot loaded with hay. The donations were collected until Monday, Feb. 23, when Harlow Cattle Company prepared to haul the supplies to impacted ranching areas.

Organizers said the effort reflects the strong tradition of ranchers supporting one another during times of crisis.

“We have always stood beside our fellow ranchers in times of hardship, and we stand with them now,” Goodnight Steakhouse said in a Facebook post encouraging donations.

The shipment of 68 bales departed Monday morning, carrying locally donated hay to help provide emergency feed for cattle whose grazing land has been lost to the fires.