The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has staffed the State Emergency Operations Center with Emergency Support Function partners from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, and the National Weather Service in response to wildland fire threats across the state.
Blowing winds and possible wildfires are expected to continue this evening and into Wednesday. Motorists are advised to delay traveling as much as possible and to not drive into dust where visibility is restricted. Do not go into areas where active fires are being fought. Give emergency crews time and space to work.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is working alongside partner agencies in Southwest and Northwest Kansas to support wildfire response efforts through emergency response, evacuation assistance, traffic control, enforcement of safety closures, and securing affected areas. For emergencies, continue to dial *47(HP) while traveling on Kansas roadways, or *KTA (582) if traveling on the Kansas Turnpike.”
The Kansas Department of Transportation closed portions of I-70 in northwest Kansas and U.S. 50 in southwest Kansas at times today that could continue tonight due to reduced visibility from blowing dust which has caused several crashes. Similar conditions and multiple crashes have also occurred in Colorado and Oklahoma and have closed highways. KDOT has sent water tenders to support fire suppression efforts in the Englewood and Ashland communities.
For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit kandrive.gov, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.
The Kansas State Fire Marshal has sent an agent and the State Fire Marshal to Southwest Kansas to assist local responders. An agent will be sent to Northwest Kansas later today. Task Forces have been sent to different locations across the state. The Task Forces are from Johnson County, Sedgwick County, Dickinson County, Shawnee County and the Kansas National Guard.
Kansas Forest Service personnel are assisting with the wildfire outbreak in Kansas by providing subject-matter-expertise to local fire departments actively engaged in wildfire suppression operations which assist in determining priorities for limited resources statewide.
The Kansas National Guard has deployed a wildfire task force to western Kansas to help with fire suppression.
The American Red Cross is assisting counties impacted with mass care and human service’s needs.
