Wildfire Donation Opportunities

As of Monday, the 196,368 acre Remington fire was 81% contained. The rebuilding process for locals affected by the fire will be long and arduous, but many folks and organizations have stepped forward to provide a source for donations.

Here's a list of what we've found for sources to donate:

Opportunity Bank in Ashland is taking donations to use for fencing, make checks payable to: Benefit Remington Fire Mail, mail to: Opportunity Bank PO Box 368 Ashland, MT 59003.

Rosebud County Cattlewomen in collaboration with The Community Foundation and Rosebud County Disaster and Emergency Services is accepting donations for Rosebud, Powder River, and Big Horn counties. Checks can be sent to First State Bank or The Rosebud County Cattlewomen Association or dropped off in person at First State Bank and State Farm in Forsyth. Applications to receive funds will be available through the Rosebud Cattlewomen's Facebook page or by mail. First State Bank PO Box 379 Forsyth, MT 59327.

Buffalo Livestock and MTR Ranch Supply in Buffalo, Wyoming, have coordinated with Big Horn Equestrian Center, a non-profit 501 c.3 entitiy, to organize a relief fund to purchase fencing supplies at cost for ranchers that have been affected by the fires in northeast Wyoming and southeastern Montana. Donation checks should be made out to Big Horn Equestrian Center. Donations can be dropped off at Buffalo Livestock Marketing or MTR Ranch Supply in Buffalo, Wyoming. Checks can be mailed to: Wildfire Fencing Relief, PO Box 427, Buffalo, WY 82834.

Wyoming Rancher Fire Relief has set up a donation auction on Facebook, reached by searching for the title of that name. A hay delivery contact through their site may be made by calling Skyler Pownall, Z Mill Inc. - Broadus, MT (307) 256-9885. A group of rodeo stars are also donating to the auction. As of Monday, the auction had raised over $90,000.

Stockman Bank established a $10,000 matching donation for the Remington Fire Relief Fund.

The Remington Fire Relief Fund will be used to provide needed assistance to those impacted by the fire in Rosebud, Powder River and Big Horn counties. Donations to this account will be administered and distributed by Rosebud County Cattle Women in conjunction with the Rosebud County Foundation.

To donate to the fire relief fund, please stop by any Stockman Bank location or mail to Stockman Bank, c/o The Remington Fire Relief Fund, PO Box 250, Miles City, MT, 59301-0250. We will match all contributions made to the fund up to a total of $10,000 through December 31, 2024.

The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is now accepting donations for its Wildfire Relief Fund, which benefits Montana livestock producers affected by fires. Currently donations are focused on the Remington Fire.

In addition to financial support, which is the most immediate need, the Wildfire Relief Fund page also offers a form that can be filled out for in-kind donations like hay, feed, pasture, fencing supplies, etc. In-kind donation submissions will be forwarded to local coordinators to facilitate deliveries.

Local emergency coordinators are needing livestock producers who have experienced loss to submit reports. Ranchers in Rosebud County can compile a list of losses and send them to kraymond@rosebudcounty mt.com. Producers in Big Horn and Powder River counties will have contacts established shortly. Check back at the MSF website for those contact updates.

A GofundMe called Help the Goodwin Family Rebuild After Fire is accepting donations; search that site for details.

Businesses with Remington Fire donations accounts for supplies: Grant's Hardware- Broadus, Shiptons- Sheridan, WY, Runnings- Belle Fourche, SD, Cowtown Ag- Miles City, Murdoch's- Miles City.

Kellie Ostendorf of Boyes is directing hay donations and may be reached at (763) 258-4159.

Olivia Hills of Broadus has "Montana Strong" stickers available with proceeds going to the fire relief. She may be contacted on Facebook.

88 Equine, a veterinarian in Buffalo, WY, is collecting drugs and vet supplies to treat cattle. They may be reached at 307-217-2219.

The Producer Partnership, a Livingston based organization, is processing animals damaged by fire for no fee. The animals must be able to walk into the processing facility. Donors get a tax contribution letter, and the meat is used by the Montana Food Bank program. Contact Matt Pierson at 406-220-7223 for more info.