Punishing winds caused several issues across the KVOE listening area Monday afternoon.
Grass fires were expected, and they happened. Lyon County’s biggest one so far developed near Roads 380 and T after 1 pm and pushed to near Road 395 before it was finally halted. Roughly 600 acres burned.
Chase and Greenwood counties reported small grass fires with no structural damage.
In addition, the hefty winds pulled down several utility poles around the area, including the 2500 block of West Sixth and the 1500 block of Burlingame Road. Evergy reported numerous small power outages in Emporia, Lebo, Madison and Olpe through the afternoon hours.
Wind gusts were strong enough to resemble baseline severe thunderstorm activity. National Weather Service offices in Topeka and Wichita recorded several gusts at or above 60 mph, including a 60-mph gust at the Emporia Municipal Airport shortly after 1 pm. Eureka Airport had a 53-mph gust.
Red flag warnings continue areawide. Lyon and most surrounding counties will see a warning expire at 9 pm, while Chase and Greenwood counties are in a separate warning until 10 pm. High wind warnings now affect all area counties until 10 pm.
1 pm Monday: Firefighters begin battling grass fires north of Emporia
Area fire crews have been busy with fires Monday afternoon.
Firefighters have put out one blaze that started in a tree near US Highway 56 and Road E. Firefighters from north Lyon County’s fire departments went from that fire to a rekindle hotspot near Roads 380 and T shortly after 1:30 pm.
The fire danger is extreme, thanks to a combination of temperatures in the 70s, low humidity levels, dry grasses and expected wind gusts as high as 60 mph. Red flag warnings, wind advisories and high wind warnings continue at this time.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
