WYOMING — On Sept. 5, Governor Gordon submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a Secretarial disaster designation to assist with the state’s losses as a result of this summer’s wildfires, which have burned more than 629,682 acres across Wyoming to date.
“We have experienced losses of more than half a million acres,” Governor Gordon wrote in his letter to United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “The total number of fires so far in Wyoming this year is 632. There are still active fires burning, so we have not yet calculated the total damage this fire season has caused.”
In the letter, Gordon stressed that a disproportionate amount of the area burned so far has occurred on private lands, with much of that land used for some type of agricultural production. Losses from the House Draw fire in Johnson County – which has burned over 170,000 acres – are estimated at $25 million. Producers are still determining loss estimates in other counties impacted by this season’s fires.
“This fire has destroyed at least 590 miles of fence, numerous stock tanks, livestock forage and, sadly, livestock,” the Governor wrote. “Similar statistics will emerge during the loss determination process for the other large wildfires in Eastern and Northern Wyoming.”
Governor Gordon also requested maximum program flexibility due to the unique nature of Wyoming’s agriculture. He noted in the letter that hot temperatures, high winds and continued drought conditions have stretched resources and made for a particularly difficult year for fighting fire.
“The task of building back will be exceptionally challenging, and time is of the essence as the infrastructure necessary to manage livestock as well as provide water for wildlife has been decimated,” the Governor wrote.
Governor Gordon announced on Aug. 23 that fire crews are utilizing extensive ground and aerial resources to help slow the growth of Wyoming’s wildfires and to protect threatened structures.
As an added resource, the University of Wyoming Extension has compiled a website of both fire information and recovery resources that can be utilized by those impacted by wildfires.
