Saturday’s red flag warnings and burn bans came and went without much in the way of significant fire activity.
Emporia had two minor calls in the city limits Saturday afternoon. Firefighters were dispatched to the Highlander laundromat at Sixth and Oak shortly before 6 pm after a report of smoke in the business. Battalion Chief Ryan Conley says a washing machine failed, causing the smoke issue. There was no other reported damage and no injuries.
About an hour earlier, firefighters went to the 700 block of West after a general smoke smell near the intersection. Residents at 725 West were burning leaves and “received education” about city burn policies, including an automatic ban when wind speeds are above 15 mph.
Red flag warnings were posted for Lyon, Morris and Wabaunsee counties based on humidity levels below 20 percent, wind gusts that eventually reached 35 mph at the Emporia Municipal Airport and dry vegetation. Lyon and Morris counties have policies that enact automatic burn bans whenever red flag warnings are active. Chase, Osage and Wabaunsee counties made separate announcements for county-wide burn bans. The Osage County ban remains in effect until 8 am Sunday.
