The Kansas Department of Agriculture has launched a dedicated online resource page to help farmers and ranchers recover from the wave of wildfires that swept across the state beginning February 17, driven by unusually high winds and dry conditions.
Governor Laura Kelly had already declared a state of disaster emergency on February 15 — before the fires even ignited — anticipating the dangerous conditions forecast for Tuesday through Thursday. The fires that followed caused widespread agricultural losses, including the deaths of livestock across affected areas.
The recovery page, found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/Recovery, is designed to serve as a one-stop hub where producers can find resources and assistance. KDA says the page will continue to grow as new needs are identified and additional resources become available. The department is coordinating with local, state and federal partners as well as agricultural organizations to support recovery efforts.
One of the agency's key messages to those affected is to document everything as soon as it's safe to do so. Photos, receipts and detailed records of losses will be essential when applying for assistance or seeking reimbursement down the road.
For ranchers dealing with livestock that died in the fires, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working alongside ranchers and veterinarians to ensure proper and safe disposal of animal mortalities. Those with questions about that process are encouraged to contact their nearest KDHE district office.
Federal assistance may also be available through the USDA Farm Service Agency, which offers several disaster relief programs for wildfire-affected producers. Fact sheets and links to those programs can be found on the Kansas Wildfire Recovery Resources page.