The Case of the Monster Fire
On March 6, 2017, Erickson’s ranch in northeast Roberts County became part of the massive Perryton Fire—one of three major wildfires that swept through Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The blaze burned about 90% of his land and destroyed his home. These spurs survived the fire and stand as a symbol of resilience, not just for one rancher, but for the entire ranching community impacted by the devastation.
The spurs pictured belonged to John R. Erickson, rancher and author of the Hank the Cowdog book series. They were custom made around 1996 by R.F. Ford, a spur maker from a small town north of San Angelo. The name “Hank” was added as a tribute to Erickson’s beloved canine character.
Nathan Dahlstrom, author of the Wilder Good Adventure series and friend of Erickson’s, recalls finding the spurs among the ashes:
“So, we were sitting there, watching the smoking ruins and feeling the heat waves and trying to do something positive and for some reason John’s spurs came to mind. He always kept his boots just inside the front door in the closet. Of course, now there was only a 12-inch deep layer of smoldering ash on the entire concrete slab. I grabbed a rebar fence post and walked in the imaginary front door, turned to my right, and poked into the hot ash. Sure enough, my rebar hit metal in the ash heap. The spurs had simply settled to the floor, neatly next to each other as if they still rode the boots that had been cremated.”
One of John R. Erickson’s several old journals, manuscripts, and curated books he lost to the flames. Photo courtesy of Nathan Dahlstrom.
Recalling finding the spurs, Erickson recalled, “I wouldn’t have thought to look for anything in the rubble. I was numb.”
Erickson’s experience sparked a deeper interest in the history and ecology of fire on the plains. He began studying the natural role fire has played in shaping prairie landscapes and the balance between destruction and renewal. His ranch, with its ancient cedar stands and canyon country, now serves as a place of ongoing reflection and potential research.
He later documented his experiences in books like The Blazing Sky, The Case of the Monster Fire, and Good Smoke, Bad Smoke, helping readers of all ages understand the challenges of ranch life, the power of nature, and the strength it takes to rebuild. The fifth book in the Hank the Cowdog Ranch Life Learning Series titled Prairie Fires.
A March 2022 issue of Texas Highwasy captured John’s story. Read it here.
John’s “Hank” spurs will be on display in the Cash Famly Ranch Life Learning Center in the Prairie Ecology exhibit area on the Prairie Wildfire wall as a symbol of resilience and educational artifact of the impact and harsh realities of wildfires.
John R. Erickson looks out on the remains of his home from the March 2017 wildfires. Photo by Nathan Dahlstrom.
