TEXAS — Nearly two years after the largest recorded wildfire in Texas history, crews are once again battling fires that have already destroyed thousands of acres of farmland in the Panhandle.

North Texas ranchers are coming together to bring some relief, even with the lingering effects of the previous fire still in their minds.

“PTSD is kind of what comes to mind. Just, here we go again,” said Lee Wells, whose family owns Wells Ranch in Greenville, Texas.

Wells and his partners sent tons of supplies to the Panhandle in 2024, when the largest recorded fire in Texas history ravaged more than 1 million acres of land. Two years later, another fire is underway in the same area, and crews are working around the clock to put the fires out under dry and windy conditions.

“Last night, we sent out our first three truckloads of hay, and we just sent out another load this morning, so as much as we can help them in the areas they need help, we’re gonna do it,” Wells said.

Cattle Mafia, a nonprofit that educates the public about the cattle industry, was there to lend a hand on Feb. 19, loading up their truck to deliver hay to a wildfire location.

“I always say, ‘If we don’t, who will?’ This is what Texas does,” said Natalie Meeks, the owner of Cattle Mafia.

Wells Ranch is also partnering with a Texas mill to send loads of feed, as wildfires stretching from Texas to Oklahoma and Kansas take a toll on an already struggling beef industry.

“Contributing factors just keep piling on to beef prices and cattle prices,” Wells said. “When we lose cattle, it keeps pushing our numbers down, and we’re already at historic lows for our cattle population in our nation.”

Wells said the fires are destroying fences and hay storage that took years to build, along with the cattle. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, as of Feb. 19, more than 25,000 acres had burned between Oldham and Armstrong counties, with only 20% of the wildfires contained. Yet, in the midst of tragedy, Wells says there’s a silver lining.

“We have an opportunity that we don’t normally have to step out of our comfort zone and step away from our ideas, our prejudices, our thought process and do something for somebody else,” he said, regarding neighbors helping neighbors. “There’s not much more fulfilling in this world than seeing somebody smile because you were able to help.”