Working Ranch April/May 2025

Calves born pre-fire were marked with a notch in their right ear. Sanford Ranch, Texas Panhandle.

which borders the city limits of Fritch. The thought crossed his mind that this might be the wildfire that had ignited the day before, but he dis missed the idea. That fire had started over 20 miles away. He called his dad, Chris, who was an hour away on a job

site. “We’ve only lost about 200 acres. I think it’s going to miss us.” What Casey did not know is that the National Weather Services’ fore cast of a prevailing north wind would soon become a dangerous reality. The Windy Deuce Wildfire had indeed

crippled from injuring hooves on the charred ground. DREADED NORTHERS Sanford Ranch Foreman, Casey Bright, watched smoke and flames advance from our north pasture

The Windy Deuce Wildfire looms over the town of Fritch.

STEPHANIE ESTES

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