When two scooper planes dropped water on the Johnson Ranch fire Thursday afternoon, Poolville‑based contractor Brandon Gilbert was already on a different kind of rescue mission. Gilbert, who runs Gilbert Construction, LLC with his wife Jennifer, loaded a semi‑truck with hay and drove to the fire’s edge to help ranchers whose grazing land has been turned to ash.
Faith‑driven service
“Try to love, show God’s love in a practical way,” Gilbert said as he and his longtime friend Grant Mills arrived at the pickup point. The pair unloaded the hay for ranchers gathering at the Johnson Ranch location, which has become a hub for those needing supplies.
“Walking outside and seeing all the grass and everything that makes sure you’re living is gone—it breaks your heart,” Gilbert explained, describing the devastation the fire has wrought across the county.
Community response
Gilbert Construction, founded in 2018, provides excavation, land clearing, driveway installation, hauling and metal‑building construction throughout Parker, Palo Pinto, Tarrant and surrounding North Texas counties. The company’s involvement underscores how local businesses are stepping up to support neighbors in crisis.
“It’s a good thing that, once again, you help your neighbor,” Mills added, noting the importance of neighborly aid when disaster strikes.
Firefighting efforts
Firefighters from across Texas have been battling the blaze, which has already consumed more than 81,000 acres and continues to spread under strong winds and dry conditions. Strike teams moved throughout Palo Pinto County, responding to smoke clouds visible for miles. Although rain clouds appeared Thursday afternoon, they offered little relief, and coordinated aerial water drops remain essential.
“It’s devastating, you know?” Gilbert said, reflecting on the intensity of the fire. Mills, who lives just south of the flames, said he is monitoring the situation closely, fearing a shift in wind direction could threaten additional properties.
Rancher Navy’s role
E. J. Dennis, a member of Rancher Navy, described the nonprofit’s origins after the 2022 Central Texas wildfires. Founded on March 18, 2022, Rancher Navy streamlines logistics, communication and resource management so help reaches those who need it most—rebuilding fences, recovering livestock, clearing debris and standing alongside families as they rebuild.
“I worked in the floods last year in Kerrville and saw people get back on their feet. That’s why I got involved,” Dennis said.
Impact on ranchers
For ranchers, hay is a lifeline. “Their livelihood is their cattle; if the cattle can’t eat, the family can’t survive,” Gilbert explained. The hay donation, while modest, provides critical nutrition for livestock while owners assess damage to pastures and plan recovery.
Both Gilbert and Mills said they will continue to assist until the fire is fully contained, echoing the dedication of the hundreds of firefighters battling the blaze.
Looking ahead
As the wildfire continues to threaten homes and farms, the combined efforts of local businesses, nonprofit groups and everyday citizens illustrate the strength of North Texas’s community spirit. Residents are urged to stay informed about fire conditions, heed evacuation orders if issued, and support relief organizations that are working tirelessly to help neighbors rebuild.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
