2021 was another disastrous year of large and dangerous wildfires that swept through rangelands in many areas of Oregon. The loss of grazing ground and timberland were devastating but farm structures were also destroyed. We deeply thank the many dedicated folks that risk their lives fighting these fires and protecting people, livestock and property.
OCA Wildfire Assistance fund has been a gathering place for receiving and disbursing donations for Wildfire Assistance to affected cattle producers. In 2019 and 2020 over $45,000 was distributed for wildfire losses to affected producers. OCA received over $37,000 in donations to assist cattle producers and other entities covering losses and expenses caused by 2021 Wildfires.
Cattle producers were eligible for funds to reimburse losses incurred from 2021 wildfires. Applications were taken through May 31, 2022 to allow producers time to assess losses and costs. The majority of the funds will go to replacing fencing, burned working/loading facilities, costs of relocating cattle and horses to other grazing areas and purchasing additional feed to replace burned range land. The majority of the losses were as a result of the Bootleg and Cougar Peak fires in Lake and Klamath Counties and wildfire in Douglas County.
The applications were reviewed by the OCA Private Lands – Wildfire Assistance Committee and approved for disbursement. Total loss applications received were $128,886. 100% of the funds totaling $37,790 will be distributed to 7 applicants approved for funding.
Major donors were Grange Co-op, Northwest Farm Credit Services, BL & RA Hjort, Aaron Borror and Malott Livestock, LLC. A total of 34 individual and business donors contributed to the fund and many more donated at the OCA fund raiser. OCA appreciates every donation to help producers recover some of their losses.