WA Beef Community Steps Up to Serve Those Impacted by Taylor Ridge Fire

Washington’s Beef Community Steps Up to Serve those Impacted by Taylor Bridge Fire

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

Central Washington’s devastating Taylor Bridge Fire that began on Monday had by Thursday afternoon burned nearly 23,000 acres and was 25 percent contained. The fire was wind driven and burning in grassland, sage and timber.

As anyone from a rural community knows, in times of trouble the community comes together to help. Wednesday night cattle ranchers from Kittitas and neighboring counties served up grilled Beef TriTip Sandwiches to their neighbors in need.

Washington Cattlemen’s Association President Larry Olberdlng shares more about the dinner where the ranchers served more than 500 people.

Olberding: “We have grilled beef tri-tip which was donated from local ranchers through Tyson Fresh Meats and AB Foods and this has all been a community event, community participation. We have all kind of donations. It is so great thing to see the community come together and put this whole meal together to help those in need.”

Social media has played a big part in the communication of this fire as well as demonstrating a tremendous outpouring of support. The Taylor Bridge Fire Help’s Facebook Page created on Tuesday had nearly 6,000 people “like” the page by Thursday afternoon.

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.