MANHATTAN – As the wildfire in Barber and Comanche counties continues to burn, more than 400,000 acres of pasture and farmland have been consumed. Farm, ranch and industry groups continue efforts to help affected livestock producers.

Kansas Farm Bureau has created a fire relief site for those impacted and those willing to help. The site: www.kfb.org/firerelief will connect those donating supplies like fencing and building materials and labor to those in need.

"We have seen a tremendous outpouring of donations and help," says Dennis Ricke, Barber County Farm Bureau president and volunteer firefighter, says. "We are so grateful. Those of us impacted will need some time to assess the damages and develop a game plan for recovery."

Farm Bureau encourages those who want to donate and help in the rebuilding process use the www.kfb.org/firerelief so resources can be implemented efficiently. 

"We know people are anxious to jump in and help," Rich Felts, President of Kansas Farm Bureau, says. "Neighbors help neighbors in our state, and we are blessed. This will be a long-term project, and the goal of this site is to aid in the recovery process."

Local contacts include Jennifer Theurer in Comanche County who can be reached at 620-440-9059, and Zel Polf in Barber County whose contact number is 620-886-3316. Contacts at Kansas Farm Bureau include Nancy Brown, 785-587-6111 and Serita Blankenship, 785-587-6150.

The fire has taken numerous homes, outbuildings, miles of fence, thousands of hay bales and an unknown number of cattle. Barber County has been hit hardest with approximately 273,000 acres burned. The Anderson Creek Fire may be the largest wildfire in Kansas history.

Anyone wishing to make direct contributions to the Kansas Farm Bureau Foundation may send them to Kansas Farm Bureau, 2627 KFB Plaza, Manhattan, KS., 66503 with fire relief efforts noted in the memo. All funds collected will be split between impacted counties as directed by county Farm Bureaus.

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