NUECES COUNTY, Texas —
Efforts in South Texas are underway to provide aid to the Texas panhandle as it continues to battle large fires.
According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the Smokehouse Creek Fire is about 15% contained across more than one million acres.
Local first responders and FFA students collected donations this weekend for money and supplies to bring to those who need it.
After posting about it on social media and handing out flyers, the group gathered enough to provide relief to firefighters, farmers and ranchers in the panhandle region.
They say it can help recovery efforts as large fires continue to devastate those communities.
"Water, Gatorade, snacks, you know, that does put a dent in their budget,” Robstown Fire Department firefighter Ram Alejandro said. “So, with us being able to at least help with things like that, it helps them out a lot."
Alejando said that many volunteer fire departments responding to large fires in the panhandle have low budgets and a lack of manpower. That is why he and some FFA students from across the Coastal Bend gathered donations to aid recovery.
FFA students Hunter Fox and Jayden McCoy worked with Alejando to make sure panhandle farmers and ranchers also receive what they need, since so many burned acres affects their livelihood.
"A lot of it is helping those guys get on their feet as quick as possible, because at the end of the day, that's the right thing to do, and I hope if, you know, South Texas was ever in that position that they'd be willing to do the same," Fox said.
Altogether, the group collected animal feed, food, drinks and funds for the panhandle. McCoy said FFA prepared him to help how he can.
"I'm not your traditional FFA ag kid,” McCoy said. “I mean, I don't come from a farm. I'm a city boy, grew up in a city, and through FFA and 4H, it's kind of taught me how to go about these things."
Alejandro said the money will go toward a local fire department to aid with costs like wear and tear on their trucks from constant use battling fires. He said it felt like it needed to be done.
"It's a good feeling knowing that we can help, you know, fellow Texans and brother and sister firefighters up in the state," Alejandro said.
Alejandro added that he is working with Nueces County Emergency Services District #3 to connect with fire departments in the panhandle.
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