Texas wildfire relief and donations: Here's how (and how not) to help

The Texas Panhandle is in need of support, and Texas A&M AgriLife has set up several different ways for people to send relief to those affected by the devastating wildfires.

According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the Smokehouse Creek fire is still burning across over a million acres, but it was 74% contained as of Thursday. But, there is a chance that new fires that "may be resistant to firefighters’ suppression efforts" could ignite as the state goes through "strong fire weather."

Representatives from Texas A&M AgriLife unit told USA TODAY several ways folks can help those focused on providing relief. Here's what to know.

A live look at the Texas wildfires:Map shows scope of devastation

Who needs help?

Farmers and ranchers not only lost livestock in the fires, but they also lost buildings and infrastructure, like fences.

"Farmers and ranchers are so resilient here in Texas," Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife's public information office, previously told USA TODAY. "They're going to overcome this, but it's not going to be without help."

The Texas Tribune reports that the fires burned 70% of Hemphill County, displaced 47 families and took at least two lives.

South of Canadian, in Hemphill County, Tatum Swenhaugen raises show pigs with her husband. She told the Tribune that the fire killed about half her stock, 40 pigs, and burned down all the buildings on the property that were used to house and breed them. The loss of the show pigs alone equals around $70,000, reports the Tribune.

Officials caution against GoFundMe

"We're staying away from GoFundMe," said Tanya Holloway, AgriLife's family and community health agent for Hemphill County.

Any GoFundMes collecting money to support wildfire relief are not connected to Texas A&M. There is a possibility they could be linked to scams, and she says its best to avoid it all together.

Currently, AgriLife is not accepting money from any mobile payment services, like CashApp, Venmo or ApplePay.

The most important thing: Financial donations

Holloway said the "most important thing" people can do to help farmers and ranchers, like the Swenhaugen family, is to send money.

"$5 is a lot of money when you don't have any," Holloway previously told USA TODAY.

She says the agency appreciates any cash folks can spare to help farmers and ranchers who lost their way of life or families that lost their homes.

"Every bit of equity they had in their cattle is gone if they have dead cattle," she said. "And the bank can say, 'Oh honey, we're sorry you lost your cattle,' but it's still gonna expect a payment."

Holloway would rather have folks outside of Texas send money, instead of hay or household items.

"Believe you me, it is greatly appreciated," she said.

Where to send monetary donations to support Texas

According to DAR's program director, Monty Dozier, the Texas Department of Agriculture's State of Texas Agriculture Relief, STAR, fund is another way folks can donate.

For those wanting to donate to specific counties, the agency's website states they can send checks to the following locations:

• Gray County- Mail envelopes addressed to Finance to City of Pampa, P.O. Box 2499, Pampa, Texas 79066. Reference the checks to state "City of Pampa for Smokehouse Creek Fire"
• Hutchinson County- Donations can be made to the Hutchinson County United Way fund at the Amarillo National Bank or by visiting hutchinsoncountyunitedway.org/donate.
• Potter County- Checks made payable to Potter Ag. can be dropped off or mailed in envelopes addressed to Potter Ag. at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 3301 SE 10th Building 1 Amarillo, Texas 79104
• Carson County- Monetary donations for the Carson County Relief Fund can be made at any Happy State Bank Branch location or mailed to the Happy State Bank, Panhandle Branch at PO Box 990, Panhandle, TX 79068
• Roberts County- Donations can be delivered to any BOC Bank location or mailed to BOC Bank, P.O. Box 8 Miami, Texas 79059. To help farmers and ranchers, checks should reference Unmet Needs Agriculture. All other donations should reference Unmet Needs General.

Hemphill County has several ways people can donate:

• To donate to people who lost their homes, visit First Baptist Canadian's website.
• To donate to ranchers in Hemphill and surrounding areas, mail checks to the Canadian Volunteer Fire Department at PO Box 300 Canadian, Texas 79014. Reference checks to state “Rancher Wildlife Relief Fund.“

What other donations are needed?

According to Dozier, one of the most needed items is fencing.

"We're still receiving hay, but we're really focusing now on [getting] fencing material," said Dozier.

As AgriLife and DAR transition their efforts from short-term relief to long-term, they need more fencing materials to help farmers, ranchers and other producers keep their livestock safe.

AgriLife's Disaster Assessment and Recovery (DAR) unit's website asks anyone willing and able to donate the following:

• Hay
• Feed
• Fence supplies
• Cow feed
• Wildlife feed
• Salt blocks

The service lists supply drop-off locations on its website.

Officials have enough household products like water bottles, baby wipes

Holloway told USA TODAY that while the agency is very blessed and appreciative, they are drowning in water bottles and baby wipes.

"It's been amazing what people have done," she said. "But we just can't handle it anymore."

The agent emphasized that they "absolutely" do not need any more water bottles.

"We have enough water to fill about five swimming pools," said Holloway.

She asks people not send any of the following:

• Water bottles
• Wipes
• Pads and tampons
• Diapers
• Bras
• Underwear

"Rather than spending $25 or $30 on stuff to send and going through all that trouble, just write a check and put it in the mail," said Holloway.

Dozier asks that folks stop sending cattle cubes, a type of feed. He said they currently have enough.

How to volunteer

Before volunteering, Holloway wants people to know exactly what the job entails.

"Volunteering means lifting heavy bags and hay bails," she said.

Her unit has been overwhelmed by many Good Samaritans want to help.

"We have people show up, and we don't know what to do with them," says Holloway. "It takes a long time to get this organized."

Before showing up to volunteer or sending any donations, AgriLife asks people to call them at 806-354-5800, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, to find out what is needed first.