On Saturday, May 16th, my dad, Larry Roberts, and his significant other, Linda, experienced something no one ever wants to witness.

What started as a smoke cloud rising from the woods across County Road 11 from their home quickly turned into every homeowner and farmer’s worst nightmare.

They drove down the road to see where the smoke was coming from, and within an hour, the fire exploded into a monster — crossing County Road 11 and engulfing their entire 160-acre farm. Their property became the very first farm hit by the Flanders Fire.

By the grace of God and the incredible response from emergency crews, all of the main structures on the property were saved.

We cannot thank the emergency personnel enough — including the Crosslake Fire Department, Crosby Fire Department, Mission Township crews, DNR teams, and so many others who fought tirelessly to protect the homes and farms in the area. Their fast response and bravery were nothing short of amazing.

After the fire moved through the property, my dad returned within an hour to help fight dangerous hot spots himself. (Being the stubborn farmer he is) For nearly 48 hours afterward, areas continued to smolder and reignite — especially the hay, railroad ties, and the 75-year-old pine trees, where the creosote and dry timber kept burning.

While Larry and Linda are beyond grateful their home and main farm buildings survived, the damage left behind is heartbreaking.

Just on their property the fire destroyed:

Nearly 3 miles of cattle and crop fencing

A quarter-mile of ornamental white fencing along County Road 11

A calf shed

An estimated 500 pine trees in the windbreaks at the front of the property, many nearly 75 years old

Those trees were far more than landscaping. They were planted generations ago and became part of the identity of the farm itself. They provided protection, beauty, privacy, memories, and history that simply cannot be replaced. And this doesn’t even include the extensive damage to the woods behind the property.

Because they do not have air conditioning, several windows in the home were open when the fire came through. Smoke, soot, ash, and smog filled the house and settled over nearly everything inside. We are hopeful much of it can be cleaned and restored, but the emotional impact has been overwhelming.

For my dad, this farm is far more than land.

Larry grew up on an adjacent property that his family has had since the early 1900s. He bought this 160-acre property and has been farming it for 37 years. The homes down the road, belong to his siblings. This farm represents a lifetime of hard work, sacrifice, farming, family memories, and pride. Watching parts of it burn was truly devastating.

As they now begin the overwhelming process of cleanup and rebuilding, they have learned that many of the largest losses are not covered by insurance:

Fencing and gates

Tree loss

Debris cleanup and hauling

Materials and labor to rebuild

Land restoration

Anyone who knows farmers knows they are some of the hardest-working and most selfless people you’ll ever meet — and asking for help is never easy. I'm starting this GoFundMe to help Larry and Linda begin rebuilding what was lost and restore the farm they love so deeply.

Any donation, share, or prayer means more than words can express.

Thank you for supporting.