Red flag warnings continue across most of the KVOE listening area into the mid-evening hours Thursday. Unfortunately, Lyon County Emergency Communications says several fires developed after the county’s red flag warning began.
Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are in a red flag warning until 9 pm. Chase County is in a separate warning until 8 pm. The red flag warnings are important because they mean automatic burn bans in affected counties while they are active — in Lyon County’s case, the reasons include mild conditions, dry grasses despite recent rainfall, southerly winds at or above 30 mph and relative humidity levels under 15 percent.
Emergency Communications Director Roxanne Van Gundy says the county’s online permit registration option automatically shuts down when red flag warnings are in effect. She says several residents tried to register their burns online and then called dispatchers, hoping to get their burns processed, or they have simply started their burns and called Emergency Communications afterward.
Van Gundy stressed there are no burns allowed across Lyon County until the red flag warning is lifted.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says Emergency Communications received several calls from the National Weather Service after “hot spots” developed on its radar systems, prompting trips by deputies to find the fires and reach out to landowners. Several other fires that started after noon were rekindles from activity earlier in the week.
So far, several Lyon County fire departments have been working a grass fire in the 500 block of Road T. No structural damage or injuries have been reported.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
6:15 am Thursday: From frosty to fiery? Frost alerts melt into red flag warnings for Lyon, most surrounding counties
A frosty morning could lead to a fiery day across the KVOE listening area.
Freeze warnings and frost advisories end at 9 am across the area with low temperatures still possibly getting to 32 degrees or below. Those will transition to red flag warnings for Lyon and almost all surrounding counties starting at noon. Wind gusts at or above 30 mph will combine with dry grasses, even with recent rainfall, and relative humidity levels under 20 percent to set the stage for rapid, unpredictable fire growth.
The red flag warnings — up for Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties — mean outdoor burn bans for the affected counties.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates as needed.
