Area fire crews were busy well into the evening hours Monday with grass fire activity.
Emporia Fire was called to 470 Road 180, 4 miles west of Emporia, for a brush fire at 8:20 pm. The total acreage burned is unknown, however, crews cleared the scene just after 8:50 pm.
A little more than ten minutes after the first call, Olpe fire was toned out for a brush fire at 722 Road 30. Again, the total number of acreage burned has not been determined.
Grass fire activity may likely be commonplace yet again Tuesday with critical fire conditions expected including temperatures near 90 degrees and wind speeds possibly as high as 65 mph forecasted. Red Flag Warnings go into effect for Lyon and most surrounding counties at 10 am and continue through 11 pm.
4:40 pm Monday:WEATHER: Red Flag Warnings issued for Lyon and most surrounding counties beginning Tuesday; Area fire crews respond to large brush fire northwest of Emporia
As predicted, the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for Lyon and most surrounding counties Tuesday.
The warnings go for Lyon, Chase, Greenwood, Morris and Wabaunsee counties from 10 am to 11 pm Tuesday with critical fire danger expected across the area. Wind speeds will increase significantly from Monday into Tuesday with gusts as high as 50-65 mph forecasted and temperatures expected to reach nearly 90 degrees.
Area fire crews responded to one notable grass fire Monday afternoon. Americus, Allen Admire and Council Grove firefighters all responded to Road 380 and C, 24 miles northwest of Emporia, just before 2 pm for a brush fire.
Crews from Dunlap were also called to the scene but were canceled en route. According to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the fire began as a controlled burn that became out of control following a shift in wind direction. Estimates are that close to 400 acres were burned before crews managed to get the fire under control.
No structures were in the immediate area and no injuries were reported.
The critical fire conditions will come ahead of a low-end severe storm risk with areas along and east of Kansas Highway 99 in a marginal to slight risk. Eastern Coffey and Osage counties are listed in the slight risk area.
Stay with KVOE for more weather updates as they become available.
