State gets federal disaster declaration for wildfires

CASPER (WNE) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday gave six Wyoming counties a disaster designation after portions of the state were consumed by wildland fires.

Wildfires this summer have burned more than 600,000 acres of land on large portions of private lands.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon in September requested the disaster designation.

The designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow the Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers in those counties that are recovering.

Vilsack designated Campbell County as a primary natural disaster area but also included Converse, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties in the declaration.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.

The USDA is also working with the Wyoming State Farm Service Agency to provide similar benefits through an Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification. The loss notification would provide emergency loan assistance to affected producers who suffered from physical losses within the state — such as cattle loss or fencing damage.

“I appreciate USDA’s recognition of the incredible impacts Wyoming agriculture producers are experiencing this year due to wildfire,” Gordon said. “We have multiple large fires still burning, with more fire weather forecast for the coming days. It is critical that we all do our part and exercise caution when working and recreating in our beautiful state.”

The USDA continues to evaluate losses in other Wyoming counties impacted by wildfire and will expand the designation if loss determinations in other counties are warranted, according to Vilsack’s letter to Gordon.

“Please know that we are committed to helping Wyoming producers recover and are closely monitoring the situation to ensure all options and existing authorities are being explored,” Vilsack wrote.

This story was published on October 2, 2024.