A controlled burn Thursday evening led to several traffic issues on Interstate 35.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says a controlled burn sent smoke over Interstate 35 near mile marker 138, or almost directly between Emporia’s east city limits and the Kansas Highway 130 junction. Emporia Fire Captain Bill Harmon says the landowner conducting the burn reported that the wind shifted direction while the burn was in progress causing the smoke to pour out over the interstate.
Fire crews from Emporia and Hartford-Neosho Rapids managed to quell the situation quickly according to Harmon. He says this is an important reminder for residents to check weather forecasts in advance of a planned burn.
Original indications were that the smoke caused multiple accidents, however, Koelsch says their investigation only shows evidence of one accident. Lyon County Deputy Brandon Early says 55-year-old Bryan Bonar of Kansas City, Kansas, was northbound in a van and rear-ended a tractor-trailer due to the smoke. Bonar declined medical treatment and the semi continued northbound.
Northbound traffic was backed up approximately three miles to the R1 exit at one time and southbound traffic was also backed up, according to Koelsch. Traffic resumed as normal shortly before 6 pm.
8:30 pm Thursday: Traffic back to normal after controlled burn, multiple wrecks on Interstate 35 near Emporia
Traffic on Interstate 35 was severely impacted Thursday evening after a controlled burn became out of control.
According to Emporia Fire Captain Bill Harmon, crews were called to I-35 near mile marker 138, or almost directly between Emporia’s east city limits and the Kansas Highway 130 junction, after smoke from a controlled burn sent smoke over the highway. Harmon says firefighters managed to quell the situation in just over 30 minutes.
Wind speeds were relatively low Thursday evening, however, Harmon says just because it seems like wind speeds may not be a factor does not mean they can be ignored.
Original indications were that the smoke caused multiple accidents, however, Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says their investigation only shows evidence of one accident involving a “one-ton truck.” Both northbound and southbound travel were impacted. Harmon tells KVOE News no injuries were reported.
Traffic was backed up approximately three miles at one time. Traffic resumed as normal shortly before 6 pm.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for details.
6:30 pm Thursday: Traffic moving past fire, crash site east of Emporia
Traffic is back to normal after a controlled burn apparently led to a multi-vehicle crash incident Thursday afternoon.
Smoke from the burn crossed Interstate 35 near mile marker 138, about five miles east of Emporia’s eastern city limits after 4 pm. There is currently no word on how many vehicles were involved in the wreck, but Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says multiple vehicles crashed in both northbound and southbound directions. There is also no word on whether anybody was hurt as a result of the crashes.
Traffic had been backed up for several miles in both directions but started slowly moving around the wrecks around 5:45 pm.
Further details will be available Thursday evening.
5:30 pm Thursday: Controlled burn sends smoke across I-35, apparently causing multi-vehicle wrecks east of Emporia
Emporia Fire and Lyon County deputies are working to solve a fire incident that has led to significant traffic issues east of Emporia.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says a controlled burn has been sending smoke over Interstate 35 near mile marker 138, or almost directly between Emporia’s east city limits and the Kansas Highway 130 junction. This has led to multiple wrecks affecting both northbound and southbound travel. There is currently no word on any injuries.
Traffic is backed up “for miles in both directions,” according to Koelsch.
Details are developing with this incident. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for details.
