Colorado Ranchers Move Cattle and Cut Fences as 51,600-Acre Ferris Fire Scorches Grazing Land
Updated
Updated · The Colorado Sun · Jul 8
Colorado Ranchers Move Cattle and Cut Fences as 51,600-Acre Ferris Fire Scorches Grazing Land
1 articles · Updated · The Colorado Sun · Jul 8
Summary
Colorado ranchers are scrambling to save livestock as the Ferris fire near Dolores tops 51,600 acres and other blazes force herds off summer range or through cut fences.
3,000 of J Bar M Ranch’s 10,000 acres have burned in the Gold Mountain fire, leaving 300 cows eating winter hay now and raising the risk of herd sell-offs if feed runs short.
2,300 cow-calf pairs remain on the Glade in the San Juan National Forest, where crews and ranchers are using fire modeling, cattle pushes and hauled water to keep animals ahead of active flanks.
78 bales of hay were mobilized through an ad hoc statewide phone chain as evacuations reached the Colorado State Fairgrounds, underscoring how limited formal support remains.
Colorado State University says losses are still hard to tally, but smoke inhalation, burns, stress, drought and lost forage could damage herd health and ranch finances well beyond the fires.
With pastures scorched and hay prices soaring, is Colorado's $47 billion livestock industry facing an inevitable collapse?
Can new tech like virtual fences truly protect traditional ranching from the growing threat of climate-fueled megafires?
Ferris Fire Scorches 51,600 Acres: Immediate Impact, Rancher Response, and Long-Term Recovery in Colorado’s San Juan National Forest
Overview
The Ferris Fire, sparked by lightning and fueled by hot, dry, and windy weather, is burning over 51,600 acres in the San Juan National Forest near Dolores, Colorado. Firefighters are battling the blaze under tough conditions, with ongoing fire activity prompting air quality advisories for nearby areas. The fire’s rapid growth and extreme behavior have made containment difficult, but crews are working to protect homes and ranches. Local ranchers face immediate threats to their cattle and grazing lands, leading to difficult decisions and significant economic and emotional impacts. The situation highlights the urgent need for adaptive management and strong community support.