For the second straight day, grass fires developed in abundance in Lyon County with fire crews at several sites simultaneously through the afternoon.
The day started shortly before 1 pm when Emporia Fire went to the 2400 block of West 30th near Holiday Resort for a small grass fire. No structures have been reported as damaged. Shortly after that, Allen-Admire, Miller and Reading crews were paged to the 1400 block of Road 310 for a second grass fire. This fire came close to a house and several nearby farm buildings but was turned away without damage being reported.
Another fire developed shortly before 1:30 pm in the 3000 block of Road G-5. A fire developed in the same area Wednesday and left 15 to 20 acres of grass scorched before crews managed to extinguish it. Firefighters are considering that incident as a rekindle.
Crews were also called to the 2900 block of Road F and the 2700 block of Road P shortly after 2:20 pm. Shortly before 9 pm, Emporia Fire went to 18th and M just northeast of town for yet another grass fire.
Most of the fires were relatively small, but the fire at 290 and F spread west to Road D and burned an estimated 2,000 acres before it was finally brought under control. Despite all the fires, there were no reports of structure damage or injuries for the second straight day. Early indications are all the fires were initially controlled burns that went out of control.
Fires in northeast Lyon County also triggered mutual aid requests from Osage County and Harveyville fire departments, and in at least one case Osage County requested mutual aid from Lyon County.
Osage County is in a burn ban until 8 am Friday, while Wabaunsee County is in a ban until 10 pm Thursday.
Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell says based on recent fire activity, the 2021 burn season will be “extremely busy.”
Fell says when it comes to a rush of fires such as this, resources can become very stretched, which is when Lyon County Emergency Management gets involved. According to Fell, Emergency Management does not take part in fighting the fires but rather assists the incident commander on scene with coordination and resource management.
The National Weather Service says the fire danger is very high across Kansas on Thursday, especially with humidity levels ranging from 18-23 percent. The Kansas Forest Service’s Grassland Fire Danger Index has a high fire danger areawide.
Thursday’s fire potential follows a high to very high fire danger Wednesday. Numerous small grass fires developed in Lyon County during the afternoon hours. There were no injuries and no damage to structures or equipment noted.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media. Go to Facebook@kvoenews for video from the fire near Roads 310 and R.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}030421 Grass Fire{/gallery}
