UPDATE: As OF 11 a.m. The Hutchinson Fire Department will be conducting controlled burns along 30th and Buhler Rd this morning into the afternoon. For this effort the Sheriffs Office will be closing 30th Ave. from Willison Rd to Buhler Rd. Buhler Rd will be closed between 30th and 4th Ave.
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BUHLER, Kan. — As of 0800 Wednesday, the fire east of Hutchinson, now named the Albright fire, is 90% contained.
The fire started in Buhler's fire district and spread quickly into Hutchinson's Fire District #2. Fire ran approximately 2 miles from 30th to 4th between Willison and Buhler Road. Numerous homes were saved by firefighters, and limited damage is expected from the assessment.
Crews had a good night on the fire, containing numerous hot spots and working in areas of concern. All roads have been opened for the morning commute. This includes Willison, Buhler, and East 4th. Please note that some roads may close again later this morning due to burn out operations.
Now that it is light, assessment can continue on damage and lost property as well as property saved. That information will be collected along with the number of acres burned.
The burn out operations could begin as soon as mid-morning, as a wind shift is expected to move from the northwest to the southwest in the coming days. There is still some concern about fire spreading to adjacent areas.
Fire Marshal Mike Cain's initial assessment indicates that the property owner where the fire started burned over 75 brush piles last Thursday when there was still snow on the ground. Embers from those brush piles started adjacent vegetation on fire.
Hutchinson Fire wanted to thank Hutchinson Public Works Department, Reno County Sheriff's Office, Reno County Emergency Management, Kansas Forest Service, Evergy, 911 Dispatch Center, Rice County, Sedgwick County, Reno County Task Force, South Hutchinson, Halstead, Burrton, Inman, McPherson and Newton Fire Departments for their assistance.
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A major wildfire broke out east of Hutchinson Tuesday afternoon. According to Reno County Dispatch, the fire was called out around 1:30 p.m. near 30th and Willison. The fire quickly raced south threatening many homes around the 4th and Willison area.
According to Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer, the fire threatened several properties, but no homes were destroyed. Beer said mutual aid, including resources in place with the help of the Kansas Forestry Service, were prepared to deal with the dry windy conditions that were in place. The Kansas Forest Service used an aerial plane to help fight the fire.
Crews spent the night patrolling the area from 30th to 4th and from Willison to Buhler Road putting out numerous hot spots.
No word yet on how much damage was done, nor were there any reports of injuries. Buhler schools that had students living in the fire area held them at schools until parents or guardians could pick them up. Many of the usual bus routes were closed due to the fire.
Volunteers provided bulldozers to help cut fire lines and a semi tanker full of water was put in place to refill fire trucks.
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UPDATE: As of 7:30 p.m. Many of the outside agencies are being released as the fire is being brought under control. Crews are still working to put out a number of hot spots and other crews are patrolling the entire area from 30th to 4th avenues and from Buhler to Willison roads. Residents are being allowed to return to their homes. 4th Avenue from Kent to Buhler Road is closed as is Willison from 30th to 4th avenues.
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UPDATE: As of 6:20 p.m. Crews continue to work to put out hot spots. The Reno County Sheriff's Department says 4th Avenue from Willison to Buhler Road is closed with barricades and deputies. Willison Road is closed with barricades from 4th to 30th. The Hidden Meadows subdivision is still closed at this time but all other residents can return to their home. If you do not live in the area DO NOT go around the barricades. Buhler Road is now open to all traffic.
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UPDATE: As of 6:00 p.m. Fire Chief Steven Beer said about an hour ago that the fire is about 60% contained. Crews continue to move from one area to another fighting fires with most in the 4th and Willison area.
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UPDATE: As of 5:20 p.m. The Kansas Forest Service released an aerial tanker from the airport to help with the fire. Crews appear to be getting an upper hand on the fire, but are still dealing with a large number of trees in the area of 4th and Willison. A rehab station has been set up for firefighters at 4th and Willison.
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UPDATE: As of 4:30 p.m. Crews are still working hard around the 4th and Willison area to protect a large number of structures in the area. Below is a map of the area of concern.
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UPDATE: As of 4:00 p.m. Fire crews are battling the usual obstructions with this fire including the sandy soil and the large number of red cedar trees in the area. Current conditions: Temp 62, winds north at 15-20 and relative humidity is at 16%.
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UPDATE: As of 3:50 p.m. A semi full of water is being sent to an area that fire crews are working hard to save several homes and structures north of 4th and Willison. Still no word of damage or injuries.
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UPDATE: As of 3:35 p.m. Fire crews are working to protect a number of homes and buildings between 4th and 17th and Buhler Road and Willison. Crews are being warned not to get stuck in the sandy conditions as they work to save the structures.
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UPDATE : As of 3:20 We are getting word that there are evacuations going on in connection with this fire. We do not have any word on injuries or damage at this time. Sedgwick Co. has also responded along with other surrounding agencies.
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BUHLER, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire crews are working a brush fire near Buhler. The fire was called in around 1:30 p.m. and is located between 4th to 30th and from Buhler Road to Willison. Because of this, many rural roads in the area are closed at this time.
Buhler USD 313 says any students that would normally be dropped off by buses in those areas will need to be picked up from their school.
If you are unsure about your child's status, contact your school.