RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – Personnel with Riley County Fire District #1 were dispatched to a reported out-of-control prescribed burn on March 19 that engulfed hundreds of acres.
Riley County reported in a press release that volunteer fire crews responded to a prescribed pasture burn that was reported to be out-of-control at 1:30 p.m. on March 19 near Tabor Creek Lane south of Zeandale. Fire crews found the fire had spread south into timbered areas and onto neighboring properties. Wabaunsee County Fire also responded to assist with backburn operations to prevent its spread.
Nearly 400 acres were burned which included the 70 acres from the original prescribed burn. According to the county, a neighbor noted that nothing was harmed and the fire had actually been productive for dead material removal.
Tabor Creek Lane Fire (Courtesy of Riley County)
Tabor Creek Lane Fire (Courtesy of Riley County)
How bad is the air quality in northeast Kansas?
“The extended dry conditions have allowed fires to carry through timbered draws that would normally slow or stop fire spread,” said Deputy Chief of the Riley County Fire District #1 Jake Konrardy in a press release. “Without substantial moisture, we expect this risk to continue. Our crews did an excellent job under challenging conditions.”
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for extreme grassland fire danger for much of northeast and western Kansas until 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
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