Munsick headlines relief efforts, community members follow

SHERIDAN (WNE) — A Sheridan County native country star and local groups have set up organized fundraisers to benefit those fighting the Elk Fire that has ravaged the Bighorn National Forest and surrounding lands.

Sheridan County native and country music star Ian Munsick and his wife Caroline have fundraised $114,615 for local entities fighting the Elk Fire.

The couple started contributions with $30,000 and additional funds from Ian Munsick patch sales during The Country & WESTern Tour.

"They are heroes and they deserve all the help that they can get," Ian Munsick said while onstage. "I'm so damn proud to be from the state of Wyoming, where neighbors help neighbors get things done."

The Munsicks attended the WYO Film Festival in Sheridan Sunday.

Monetary donations are also being distributed to several entities connected to the Elk Fire through an "Elk Fire Community Resources" fundraiser established by local Dayton residents.

The webpage was created by volunteers to support the community during the Elk Fire.

Donations are specified to support rural fire districts, evacuees, fire recovery efforts and unrestricted funds.

All donations made via the elkfirewyo.com page will be held by the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation on behalf of the Elk Fire Benefit Fund. A committee is being assembled to oversee disbursements from the fund according to need, the website states. Any funds remaining in the fund after needs related to the Elk Fire have been addressed will be divided equally among local rural fire districts.

Tongue River Valley resident Lacie Schwend has raised $18,865 thus far for volunteer fire departments in Sheridan County.

Having served on the Ranchester Fire Department — now known as the Tongue River Fire Department — in 2013 and 2014, Schwend started the fundraiser with her family.

This story was published on October 7, 2024.