CICA Provides Financial Aid for Producers Affected by Wildfire

By Kaley Carwin

Published: Feb. 13, 2026

COLORADO — Two significant wildfires on Colorado’s Western Slope, in Rio Blanco county, were sparked by lightning strikes and fueled by severe drought in August of 2025. These fires have greatly affected producers across the county and region. The fires burned a combined 152,500 acres. This is larger than the city of Chicago. 

The most destructive was the Lee Fire, which started on August 2. Intensified by gusty winds and dry terrain, the fire grew rapidly to consume more than 138,000 acres. It is now the fourth largest wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history.

Local conservation districts have been in contact with affected cattle producers and have identified the immediate need as re-seeding before winter to stabilize soils, reduce debris runoff and restore grazing and wildlife habitat.

The need for producers include 3,900 acres needing reseeding across 4 landowners, 78,000 lbs of seed ($284,700 at $3.65/lb) and 39 hours of aerial seeding ($117,000 in flight costs) according to Vanessa Trout Executive Director of White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts.

The total number of affected farmers and ranchers in the county is currently over 30 families. Besides reseeding, fencing costs are another obstacle for Rio Blanco County ranchers affected by the fires. For materials and labor, barbed wire fence can cost more than $20,000 per mile to build. The cost can be even higher in rough mountain terrain. 

In order to help District 1 ranchers, at the Sept. 16th CICA board meeting at Stockmens Bank, the CICA board moved to donate $2500 to the conservation district to help alleviate pressure on producers.

“Your support directly helps meet these urgent needs, lifting a heavy burden from producers who are already stretched thin,” Trout said. “We are truly grateful for your partnership in this recovery journey.”

Contributions made to Rio Blanco producers will make a lasting difference for landowners, their operations and the land itself in CICA District 1.