Dakotas ranchers helping wildfire-stricken colleagues

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Ranchers in the Dakotas are helping colleagues in the Southern Plains dealing with the effects of devastating wildfires.

Ranchers in the southern states lost thousands of animals and suffered tens of millions of dollars’ worth of damage in the wildfires that blackened thousands of square miles this month. Dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds are blamed.

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and its Stockmen’s Foundation each have pledged $15,000 to help ranchers in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. They’ve also set up a relief fund to which anyone can donate.

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association is paying state permit fees for anyone hauling donated hay through that state to the fire-ravaged areas. The group is contributing up to $1,000, which will fund 40 of the $25 oversized load permits.