Wildfires Devastate Cattle Country in Oklahoma and Kansas

February 22, 2026

Many cattle producers in northwest Oklahoma and Kansas have suffered devastating losses from recent wildfires. The Ranger Road Fire began in Oklahoma on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 17, and has since spread into southern Kansas. As of February 19, the fire had burned more than 283,000 acres and was reported to be about 15 percent contained.

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation and the Kansas Livestock Foundation have established wildfire relief funds for those who want to help impacted producers. They are also seeking hay donations and truckers to provide immediate assistance.

When disaster strikes, farmers and ranchers — whether a mile away or a thousand miles away — step up to support one another. 

Click Here to Support the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation Fire Relief Fund

Click Here to Support the Kansas Livestock Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund

Satellite imagery shows the active fire front encircling burned areas with heavy smoke, and by February 18 the burned footprint had nearly doubled — growing to almost twice the size of Chicago. The Plains have been facing extremely critical fire weather conditions, including dry air, sustained winds near 20 miles per hour and dry vegetation creating a high burn risk.

Source: Western Ag Network NASA