A wind-driven grass fire in central Greenwood County damaged a lot of grass Wednesday.
Greenwood County Emergency Management says a fire that developed northwest of Eureka charred around 2,700 acres before it was finally put out. The fire developed about two miles north of US Highway 54 near the Greenwood-Butler county line and was caused by electric lines. Six Greenwood County fire divisions and seven from Butler County helped to put that fire out.
A second grass fire developed near 300th Road west of Kansas Highway 99. The cause has not been determined. The fire was much smaller, although the exact size is under investigation.
Chase County also reported a small grass fire that flared up on the Kansas Turnpike about two miles north of the Matfield Green service area.
Breezy conditions Thursday morning will subside by afternoon. Rain chances increase Thursday, ending the current fire threat even as gusty winds return to the area.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
10 pm Wednesday: Investigations underway after two significant grass fires in Greenwood County
Greenwood County authorities were kept busy with grass fires Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office says two fires were reported northwest of Eureka. The sizes and exact locations have not been released. Causes have not been announced.
The National Weather Service out of Wichita picked up the fires on its visible and infrared satellites since at least 2:30 pm.
Automatic burn bans ended for Chase and Greenwood counties at 9 pm. Osage County does not face a specific fire-related weather alert but remains in a burn ban until 8 am Thursday.
4:30 pm Wednesday: Grass fire develops near Eureka
Fire activity has developed south of Emporia on a blustery Wednesday afternoon.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed at least one grass fire is underway northwest of Eureka. The size and exact location have not been released, and the cause may not be determined for several hours.
The National Weather Service out of Wichita has been picking up the fire on its visible and infrared satellites since at least 2:30 pm.
A red flag warning and automatic burn ban continue for Greenwood County until 9 pm. Chase County is also under a red flag warning and county-specific burn ban until 9 pm, with both counties also facing wind advisories until 4 am Thursday. Osage County does not face a specific fire-related weather alert but remains in a burn ban until 8 am Thursday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
5:45 am Wednesday: Red flag warnings, wind advisories announced for Chase, Greenwood counties Wednesday
Outdoor burns will be strongly discouraged or outright banned across the KVOE listening area Wednesday.
Red flag warnings and wind advisories have now been posted for Chase and Greenwood counties, with the red flag warnings effective from noon to 9 pm and the wind advisories posted from 2 pm Wednesday to 4 am Thursday. Chase County had already announced a burn ban from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, so that remains in place. Greenwood County is banning outdoor burns Wednesday.
No other official weather alerts have been announced, but Osage County has extended its burn ban first announced Tuesday until 8 am Thursday.
Low humidity levels, temperatures in the mid-50s, winds as high as 40 mph and dry grasses are all elevating the fire danger to the very high or extreme categories for Wednesday.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
