'Adjust and move on': Rancher reacts to Dewey Co. wildfires

Fire crews in Dewey County are still battling wildfires that began on Friday. While crews hope to prevent more fires from starting, landowners are beginning to assess their losses. Only about a dozen barns and one home were lost in Dewey County, but more than 30,000 acres of land have burned since Friday. Much of that land belongs to ranchers and farmers.

“Everybody kind of pitches in,” Eldon Ferrell, a landowner in Leedey, said.

Most of his land is now scorched as far as the eye can see.

“Well, it wakes you up, it gets your attention,” Ferrell said.

Ferrell's brother runs a cattle operation on the land, but they didn't lose any animals.

The biggest concern now is a source of food for the cattle since the grass burned.

“This time of year, we’re about a month away from green grass so maybe it won’t be too bad,” Ferrell said.

Another immediate concern is property damage after a driver lost control during the wildfire.

“Smoke blinded him, and he missed the corner and took out the fence,” Ferrell said.

He and his brother spent Tuesday afternoon repairing the fencing.

Ferrell says small communities like Leedey band together in times like these.

“They’re already getting some hay that’s been donated,” he said.

And they're grateful for the extra protection from first responders.

“We’re always thankful for other fire departments coming out and helping because it’s way too big for a local fire department,” Ferrell said.

As Ferrell works on his brother's fence against a background of burned land, he says the only way out is through.

“You know everything has changed overnight and you just got to adjust and move on,” Ferrell said.

Fire crews continue to work across Dewey County to put out hotspots and prevent the fire from spreading to any new areas.