CANADIAN—Local ranchers, landowners, and community leaders are invited to join the Hemphill/Roberts Counties Wildfire Preparedness Meeting, hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency readiness. The meeting will take place on February 13, 2025, at the Hemphill County Annex in Canadian. 

This event will bring together experts from across Texas to provide critical insights and actionable strategies for managing wildfire risks on ranches and rural properties. Topics will include maintaining infrastructure, mitigating wildfire risks, and navigating insurance claims.

Agenda Highlights:

• 8:30-9:00 AM: Registration, coffee, donuts, and networking

• 9:00-9:20 AM: Welcome and introductions by Andy Holloway, CEA for Hemphill County, and Hannah Sell, CEA for Roberts County

• 9:30-10:00 AM: “Powerlines and Out-of-Date Infrastructure: Overseeing Maintenance” – Craig Cowden

• 10:00-10:30 AM: “What Ranchers/Landowners Need to Know About High Wind Days and Energized Electrical Systems” – Randy Mahannah, North Plains Electric Cooperative

• 10:45-11:30 AM: “Wildfire Mitigation Planning on the Ranch, Home, and Critical Property” – Dr. Morgan Treadwell, Area Texas A&M Range Specialist

• 11:30-12:15 PM: “Opportunity Resources for Ranchers/Landowners to Harden Assets and Prepare for Wildfire” – Lee Anderson, Texas A&M Forest Service

• 12:30 PM: Lunch sponsored by North Plains Electric Cooperative

• 1:15-2:00 PM: “Where Do Ranchers Stand on Claims from the SmokeHouse Creek Wildfire?” – Bram Browder, Director of the Institute for Legislative Analysis Center to Protect Ranchers

• 2:15-3:00 PM: Panel discussion featuring local experts, including Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson, Roberts County Judge Mitchell Locke, Canadian Fire Chief Scott Brewster, and others

This event is $25 per person, with lunch provided courtesy of North Plains Electric Cooperative. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with professionals and community leaders to discuss collaborative approaches to wildfire preparedness. To RSVP for the event, contact the Hemphill County AgriLife Extension office by Tuesday, February 11th at (806) 323-9114.