As wildfires raged in North Texas earlier this month, a group of Boerne area men decided to do what they could to help the farmers and ranchers in the affected communities.
And help they did – and continue to do.
Five small businessmen who live in and around Boerne and do a little ranching on the side gathered hay and other needed livestock supplies, as well as some money, and last week made the trek to Eastland County located along Interstate 20 between Dallas-Fort Worth and Abilene.
They delivered 65 round bales of hay, valued at about $100 each, feed and other needed supplies and more than $3,000 in donated cash. Another trip, with at least 100 haybales and more supplies, is planned this week.
“When fellow Texans are in need, the pride of being a Texan is binding together to help each other out,” said Colin Koehl, who spearheaded the idea to help his neighbors to the north. “Even
though we’re hundreds of miles apart, we do whatever it takes.”
Koehl’s partners in the donation drive are Dalton D’Spain, Justin Zoeller, Colton Zoeller and Travis Kitchens.
Koehl said none of the 65 bales delivered last week belonged to any of the five men. They all were donated by local and area people who heard about the wildfires and the ranchers affected and simply wanted to help.
“There are a lot of farm and ranch pages on Facebook,” Koehl said. “They were asking for help (in Eastland and surrounding counties affected by the wildfires) – donations, hay, feed, general things, anything animal related to help with livestock. I made my own Facebook post asking for donations to help. People reached out to me and we decided to make a run up there.”
When the group of men stopped in Llano to refuel, they were spotted by a Llano County official.
“This morning, I noticed five trucks with flatbed trailers loaded with round bales,” Judge Ron Cunningham posted on his Facebook page. “I caught up with them as they refueled their vehicles here in Llano and learned they were from Boerne, Texas, and headed for Eastland County.
“They were transporting 65 round bales which had been donated to the ranchers who were affected by the ongoing wildfires. This group was traveling on their own time to help out others and happy to do it.”
Cunningham continued. “These young men are a great example of what makes Texas such a great state. In times of need, we respond to those in need. God bless Texas.”
Cunningham’s post was shared and reshared and people started commenting and asking how they could help. Koehl and the other four guys offered one of those ways.
The Eastland Complex wildfire in Eastland County charred more than 54,000 acres, or about 85 square miles, according to published news reports in the area. Dozens of homes and other buildings were destroyed and some people were injured. The fire was due in part to dry weather across much of Texas.
“The extreme conditions present across the state (when the fires broke out) greatly impacted several communities and the Texans that live there,” Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service fire chief said in published news reports. “These communities endured significant loss, and we grieve with you.”
Several wildfires merged to form what is known as the Eastland Complex fire. The blaze started on March 17 and in less than three hours destroyed 86 houses in Carbon, a Eastland County town of just 272 residents.
It was there an Eastland County sheriff’s deputy died as the wildfires swept through the several small Texas communities in the area. Deputy Sgt. Barbara Fenley died while going door to door warning people to flee, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Fenley ran off a smoke-covered road and was engulfed in the fire,
Cunningham continued.
the sheriff said.
“The feed store, a few homes and I believe the post office were left standing,” Koehl said of Carbon. “It’s terrible. It gives you kind of a sticker shock.”
He said there were a few drop-off points once the five men reached the charred remains.
“Carbon was one of the most devastated areas,” Koehl said. “People there really needed the supplies – whatever we could bring.”
Koehl said he didn’t intend for all the publicity to accompany his desire to help fellow Texans.
“I really didn’t think it would go this far,” he said. “We just wanted to help people … just people helping people. Texans rely on each other to help each other. We’re all in this together.”
A separate fire, called the Big L fire, has burned more than 11,000 acres in Erath and Hood counties, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Overall, crews have responded to 178 wildfires that have burned nearly 170 square miles statewide since last Thursday, officials said.
Koehl said although he won’t continue to travel to affected areas every week, he will continue to help out as long as it’s needed.
“We’ll continue to accept donations,” he said. “(The damaged and destroyed areas) won’t be rebuilt overnight. They’re going to need help for the long term.
Koehl said anyone who wishes to donate to the cause can contact him at 830-357-0667.
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