Firefighters busy with more wildfires on Tuesday
Video above: KSN News at 10 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – KSN News tracked several wildfires in our area on Tuesday.
Much of southern Kansas is under a fire weather warning. The National Weather Service says that any fires that happen will likely spread rapidly due to forecasted wind.
9:30 p.m.
The City of Newkirk says as of 9:30 p.m., the fire north of Newkirk is contained. Fire crews are finishing putting out hot spots.
Check out the City of Newkirk Facebook page for the latest updates.
9:13 p.m.
Kay County Emergency Management is advising there is no threat to the City of Newkirk at this time.
“Initial fire path was in direct lines towards 7 Clans and Native Lights Casinos,” said KCEM. “Coordination with the State OEM office was done, and an Emergency Alert was sent out to those in the path at the casinos. Reports are coming in that people in the city of Newkirk have received this alert. No threat to the city of Newkirk at this time.”
Several Oklahoma and Kansas fire departments are at the scene of a large wildfire north of Newkirk, at the state line in the Chilocco area.
KCEM says fire units stopped the southern flank of the fire and are holding a defense line from further spread.
“Tentatively there is not additional threats to the casinos, but crews are still fighting high wind and blowing embers which could still cause additional spot fires that could grow,” said KCEM.
Check out the Kay County Emergency Management Facebook page for the latest updates.
8:22 p.m.
At 8:22 p.m., Kay County Emergency Management issued the following extreme alert:
A DANGEROUS WILDFIRE is crossing into Kay County spreading quickly South. Visibility in area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blacoked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed. LEAVE NOW Newkirk including the 7 Clans Casino. MOVE NOW East to avoid smoke&fire.
Kay County Emergency Management
A KSN viewer tells us she got the alert above when she was in the casino.
The Newkirk Fire Department/EMS says the evacuation order was for the 7 Clans Casino area only. Units from several fire departments are on the scene north of 7 Clans Casino.
“Again, Newkirk is not in danger. The state sent out the message, and it was not supposed to include Newkirk,” said the Newkirk Fire Department/EMS.
The City of Newkirk also said the evacuation order from Kay County Emergency Management is for the casinos only.
“It is not for Newkirk,” said the City of Newkirk. “Again it is not for Newkirk.”
5 p.m.
Around 5 p.m., Butler County Fire District #3 was at a grass fire in the 23000 block of Southwest Prairie Creek Road, on the Butler/Cowley county line.
KSN News reached out to Butler County dispatchers for more details. Dispatchers say that only Douglass and Rose Hill firefighters are on the scene.
1:43-4 p.m.
The Hutchinson Fire Department said Hutch Fire Brush 71 dealt with a grass fire at Parallel Road and Sterling Road as part of a Reno County Task Force. The fire was just west of Pretty Prairie and south of Arlington.
Travis Vogt, Reno County fire administrator, said the fire was contained to 30 acres. He said the wind shifted shortly after the first firefighters arrived, which helped the fire crews and slowed the fire’s progression.
A Reno County Sheriff’s deputy tells KSN that no one was injured and no structures were damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
In Oklahoma, Texas County Emergency Management said a mandatory evacuation had been put in place for persons north of Guymon. A shelter was set up at the Texas County Emergency Management Office at 2906 Tumbleweed Drive in Guymon.
But around 4 p.m., officials ended the mandatory evacuation.
Noon
Ford County Fire & EMS (FCFE) said that just before noon, crews were dispatched to a grass fire north of Bucklin.
While heading there, another fire was reported by Wilroads Garden. Initial reports stated the grass fire was threatening multiple structures.
Some of the trucks headed to the first fire were diverted to the second fire. Additional resources were requested for the second fire. Departments from Dodge City Fire Department, Jetmore, Fowler Fire Department, Minneola Fire Department, Ashland Kansas Fire Department, Ford County Road & Bridge, Ford County Sheriff’s Office, Pride Ag and Victory Electric assisted with the second fire.
FCFE said no houses were lost, but some outbuildings, vehicles and livestock were lost.
As of 7:18 p.m., crews are continuing to monitor the area for hot spots.
Click here to view a photo of the smoke coming from the fires.
KSN News will continue to track any fires that happen.
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