Emporia Fire had two fire calls to handle Sunday.
Emporia and Olpe were called to a grass fire at 1065 Road 135 just after 2:40 pm. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says a controlled burn became out of control and scorched roughly two acres of grass and some trees on the property before it was extinguished. No injuries were reported and no property was damaged or threatened by the flames.
Emporia Fire then went out to 1762 Road B around 11:30 pm to help a landowner who had set five large round hay bales on fire as a way to destroy them. Fire Capt. Michael Nunley says fire crews were called out to help put out the fire before wind gusts pick up from under 15 mph Sunday night to 40-plus mph by Monday afternoon.
Red flag warnings are up for Chase, Greenwood and Morris counties Monday, signaling critical fire danger and automatic burn bans while the alerts are in effect. Wind advisories are in effect for all area counties Monday and Wednesday, meaning anything fire-related is strongly discouraged in areas not covered by red flag warnings.
7 pm Sunday: Emporia and Olpe fire battle grass fire near Emporia Sunday
Area firefighters made quick work of a grass fire just south of Emporia Sunday afternoon.
Crews from Emporia and Olpe were called to 1060 Road 135, nearly four miles south of Emporia, for a grass fire just after 2:40 pm. According to Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage, a controlled burn became out of control and scorched roughly two acres of grass and some trees on the property before it was extinguished.
No injuries were reported and no property was damaged or threatened by the flames. Sunday’s fire comes as extreme fire danger is expected over the next 24-48 hours.
Current forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-80s Monday with low humidity levels and wind gusts between 40-50 mph throughout the day. Tuesday’s conditions will be similar with temperatures in the low-80s and winds around 40 mph.
Red Flag Warnings are in place for both Chase and Morris counties from noon to 8 pm Monday.
