Historic ranch sustains major damage in wildfires

An 80,000-acre ranch listed for $180 million sustained major destruction during the wildfires that have been raging through the Texas Panhandle for the last week.

Turkey Track Ranch, established in the 1870s, was one of the first large ranches in the region. It’s located along the Canadian River near the town of Borger.

The ranch was also the site of the Adobe Walls battles between U.S. soldiers and Native Americans in the 1860s and 1870s. The 6-acre battle site is preserved and contains two monuments.

The managers of the Turkey Track Ranch Family Group said in a statement last week provided to The Dallas Morning News that they are heartbroken by the fire and its “tremendous associated effects and losses which continue.”

A cluster of wildfires have been burning through the Panhandle for more than a week.

The Smokehouse Creek fire, which began in Hutchinson County, has burned through the most land and grown to more than 1 million acres. It’s the largest fire in state history and among the largest in U.S. history, officials have said.

The ranch sustained damage to about 80% of its pastures, plains and creek bottom vegetation, according to early assessments. The total damage to other infrastructure and the loss of livestock was still being evaluated.

“Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to all those who have lost homes and personal property and who have sustained injury,” the statement says. “The loss of livestock, crops, and wildlife, as well as ranch fencing and other infrastructure throughout our property as well as other ranches and homes across the region is, we believe, unparalleled in our history.”

The managers thanked firefighters, who traveled from across the state, and “were able to gallantly fight the fire” alongside them, their friends and family. They were able to save the historic homestead and several outlying homes and buildings.

“That said, we are all completely devastated and personally heartbroken by the magnitude of this horrific event not only across our own ranch but that of many others,” the statement says.

The group is committed to helping the ranch recover and regenerate growth, habitat, ecosystems and wildlife.

“Nature mends after fire and will grow again all the natural grasses, vegetation, and tree cover in our beloved ranch oasis,” the statement reads. “We are fortunate to have an abundance of water both above and below ground which will aid in the recovery of the ranch, while we pray for rain and for all others caught up in and affected by this disaster.”