Altmire Trucking organized an effort to drive five tractor trailers loaded with hay to cattle ranchers in Montana affected by wildfires. From left: Perry Altmire Jr., owner of Altmire Trucking; Michael Sullivan, head mechanic at Altmire Trucking; David Campbell, driver; Robert Metz, driver; John Sutton, owner and operator with J.D. Sutton & Daughters; and Tim Birckbichler, driver for Wayne W. Sell Corp.

Five local tractor trailers were on their way home today after delivering donations of hay to cattle ranchers in Montana affected by wildfires.

The relief effort was organized by Altmire Trucking of Cherry Valley.

In Montana, more than 500,000 acres have burned and many cattle ranchers have been forced off their properties, have lost cattle and are seeing their livelihoods in danger.

The hay was donated by local farmers and five local truck drivers/trucking businesses donated several days of their time and use of their trucks to deliver the goods. Among them was John Sutton, a truck owner and operator. His fuel costs were paid through a donation from the West Sunbury American Legion Post 243, of which he is a member.

Montana's agriculture department, which is coordinating relief efforts, instructed them to go to Miles City. The group left Butler County Saturday and arrived in Montana without any issues around midnight Sunday, said Terri Miller of Altmire.

After unloading the hay, they were making the 16,000-mile journey back to Western Pennsylvania today.

Donations can still be made to the “PA for Montana Fire Victims” account at Farmer's National Bank in Eau Claire, P.O. Box E, Eau Claire, Pa., 16030.

A full report will appear in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.