Kan. wildfires out, but fire danger remains high

A temporary break in the dry, windy weather gave emergency responders in Kansas a slight break from the recent weave of wildfires. In all, these fires burned more than 17,300 acres in multiple counties during a five-day stretch of March 14-18.

Initially, a Declaration of Disaster Emergency from Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer Wednesday afternoon (March 14) was for Rice County. That was soon amended to include Barber, Butler, Kiowa, Labette, McPherson, Montgomery, Reno and Seward Counties as more fires broke out.

Damage reporter to the State Emergency Operations Center included destruction of one bridge in Marshall County and four non-residential structures, two each in Kiowa and Barber Counties.

The State Emergency Operations Center says it monitored 62 fires reported over the course of four days. The efforts to coordinate and execute help to contain and extinguish the fires included help from the Kansas National Guard, the Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department Transportation, the Office of the State Fire Marshall and the Adjutant General's Office Public Affairs Department.

"The Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism provided additional assistance," the Kansas Adjutant General's Office says.

The Kansas National Guard deployed several UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to douse widespread flames and keep fire from spreading to homes. The Nebraska National Guard provided an additional two Black Hawks, the adjutant general's office says.

The recent round of wildfires was the second challenge for crews across Kansas this month. From March 4-7, wildfires burned more than 27,000 acres in Barber, Ellis, Clark, Greenwood, Harper, Kingman, Logan, Reno, Smith,, Stevens and Wabaunsee Counties.

"Wildland fire danger is not over for the season. Dry, windy conditions are expected later this week which will raise the fire danger once again.
Remember, it only takes a spark! Do your part. Don't let a fire start," the adjutant general's office says.

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