Conditions were not extremely breezy Wednesday, however, the fire danger was high making the day a busy one for area firefighters.
Crews tackled a large number of grass fires through the late morning hours well into the early evening Wednesday. The day began with Miller and Reading firrefightters responding to a grass fire near 253rd and Davis before 10:30 am and then returning after the fire rekindled after 2 pm. The cause of the original fire has not yet been announced.
The afternoon saw firefighters simultaneously attack fires in the 2000 block of Road F and 2000 block of Road G along with another fire in the 800 block of N. This was after firefighters battled fires in the 2200 block of Road K which scorched roughly 10 acres and the 500 block of Road R-1 earlier in the day that scorched close to two acres of grass.
A combination of Emporia, Lyon County District 4, Americus, Allen-Admire and Dunlap fire crews responded to the fires north of Emporia. Olpe responded to the Road N fire.
Yet another fire developed near a structure in the 3000 block of Road G-5 shortly before 4 pm. Americus Fire handled the situation which left 15-20 acres of grass burnt. Another fire popped up shortly before 4:30 pm in the 2100 block of Road U.
Emporia Fire Batallion Chief Eron Steinlage says there were no damages to structures and no injuries reported due to fires throughout the day. He went on to say that when it comes to days such as Wednesday the department heavily relys on volunteer fire crews to provide mutual aid.
Steinlage says Wednesday may have been just the tip of the iceberg.
Area counties had little to report in terms of fires on the day, however, the Council Grove Fire Department handled one fire near the town around 3:30 pm. Details are pending.
The fire danger was listed as high to very high across the area Wednesday. Wind speeds have been under 15 mph at the Emporia Municipal Airport all day, but grasses have been dry for several days and relative humidity levels approached 10 percent around 3 pm.
4 pm Wednesday: Area fire crews stretched thin as grass fires crop up Wednesday
Conditions have not been very breezy, but Wednesday has turned out to be busy for area firefighters.
Wednesday afternoon saw firefighters simultaneously attack fires in the 2000 block of Road F and 2000 block of Road G along with another fire in the 800 block of N. This was after firefighters battled fires in the 2200 block of Road K and the 500 block of Road R-1 earlier in the day.
A combination of Emporia, Lyon County District 4, Americus, Allen-Admire and Dunlap fire crews responded to the fires north of Emporia. Olpe responded to the Road N fire.
Miller and Reading firefighters went twice to help counterparts in Osage City after a grass fire developed near 253rd and Davis before 10:30 am and then apparently rekindled after 2 pm. The cause of the original fire has not yet been announced. Damage estimates are pending.
Elsewhere, the situation has not been as intense. Council Grove firefighters were working a grass fire near the town as of late afternoon. Details have not been announced.
The fire danger was listed as high to very high across the area Wednesday. Wind speeds have been under 15 mph at the Emporia Municipal Airport all day, but grasses have been dry for several days and relative humidity levels approached 10 percent around 3 pm.
2:30 pm Wednesday: Area fire crews handle grass fires Wednesday
Conditions have not been very breezy, but Wednesday has turned out to be busy for area firefighters.
Emporia fire crews were dispatched to small grass fires in the 2200 block of Road K and the 500 block of Road R-1 on Wednesday. No injuries were reported at either location and no structures are reported with damage.
Miller and Reading firefighters went twice to help counterparts in Osage City after a grass fire developed near 253rd and Davis before 10:30 am and then apparently rekindled after 2 pm. The cause of the original fire has not yet been announced. Damage estimates are pending.
The fire danger was listed as high to very high across the area Wednesday.
