SAN ANGELO, TX — Bridget Scott, the manager at Palmer Feed & Supply, located at 1318 N Chadbourne St., revealed that the initiative for the San Angelo feed store to become a hub for relief supplies destined for the Texas Panhandle originated from a conversation with Jordan Crilly, who leads the Water Valley High School FFA.
Prompted by the severe wildfires in the Panhandle, Crilly utilized Facebook on February 28 to announce the student organization's readiness to assist. According to Scott, the Water Valley FFA amassed over $24,000 in donations, serving as the foundational funds for what would evolve into a continuous stream of trucks and flatbeds linked to one-ton pickups, making near-daily journeys to the Panhandle. In this endeavor, Palmer Feed has assumed the role of a central coordinator.
Scott explained that individuals in the Panhandle—be it ranchers, their friends, or public safety officials—communicate their needs to Palmer Feed, which then organizes the acquisition or donation of materials and, crucially, arranges for the transport of supplies or feed to the affected area. Deliveries are made to predetermined drop-off locations, such as one in the City of Canadian, or directly to the ranches in need.
Scott quantifies the aid in terms of tons, highlighting significant deliveries such as 24 tons of range cubes for cattle to Canadian, nine tons of feed last Saturday, and 200 bales of hay in Winters that required transportation. Additionally, calf milk and electrolytes have been dispatched to the Panhandle.
Palmer Feed in 50-pound bags on location at a ranch in the Panhandle
The location and status of the fires in the Texas Panhandle as of March 8, 2024, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The Sanford Ranch in the Panhandle receiving relief for the Palmer Feed operation in San Angelo.
"Our process begins when we're alerted to the needs in the Panhandle, and from there, we start assembling a load," Scott remarked.
The fight against the wildfires has seen participation from various firefighting crews, including two from the San Angelo Fire Department, for more than a week. Significant progress has been reported, with the Texas A&M Forest Service updating that only three of the original five fires remain active. The Windy Deuce Fire, located southeast of Dumas and covering 144,206 acres, is now 92% contained, while the Grape Vine Creek fire, southeast of Pampa and spanning 34,883 acres, is 96% contained. The largest, known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, has burned 1,059,570 acres north of Borger and is 87% contained as of the morning of March 8, 2024.
San Angelo Fire Chief Patrick Brody provided details on the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which currently involves 276 firefighters, 51 engines, and five bulldozers. The aerial response includes three large air tankers stationed in Abilene, two scoopers, two lead aircraft, and six single-engine air tankers—three in Dumas and three in Childress. Helicopter support features two Chinooks, one Blackhawk, and two Type 3 helicopters based in Amarillo. Recent efforts have focused on extinguishing residual hotspots within the fire's perimeter.
Approximately a dozen San Angelo firefighters and two brush trucks have been deployed to the Panhandle and are anticipated to return home this weekend, weather permitting. The forecast for Friday included cold, windy conditions with overcast skies, mist, and light snow in some areas. Saturday is expected to bring calmer winds, decreasing from 20-30 knots to 12 knots from the north.
The Concho Valley Republican Women have initiated a supply drive to support Panhandle ranchers affected by the wildfires.
"The grazing grasses are gone, leaving the livestock owners dependent on external support. Our goal is to send a full load of hay and other essential supplies to demonstrate our solidarity and compassion for our fellow Texans," stated La Queta Shelburne, President of the Concho Valley Republican Women.
Shelburne mentioned that the CVRW will continue to collect donations as necessary at her business, Shelburne Financial Services, located at 3177 Executive Dr. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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