MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - October marks a year since historic wildfires swept across North Dakota.

The disaster left a lasting impact on land, livestock and people, including 20-year-old Tel Sorenson from Watford City.

He was injured helping his neighbors battle the fires and missed out on a big achievement.

If you’re in the rodeo community in North Dakota, you’ve probably heard the name Tel Sorenson.

The cowboy is working his way up the ranks of college and professional rodeo.

Tel’s dreams hit a roadblock last year.

He qualified for his first Badlands Circuit Finals, but a week before the competition, he suffered a head injury after answering the call to help battle North Dakota’s historic fires.

“I was on my way back out there the next day, and that big cap flew up and hit me,” said

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