UPDATE: As of 6:50 a.m. Tuesday: Only one road in Reno County is currently closed due to fire operations, that is 108th east of Plum, according to Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar.
UPDATE: As of 5 a.m. Tuesday: Winds are now out of the north, still sustained at over 20 miles per hour. The fire danger risk is expected to remain high through at least 7 p.m. tonight, with winds dying down a bit late Tuesday.
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UPDATE: As of 1:25 a.m. Tuesday: Winds are starting to turn to the west. Fire crews have set up along 30th and Willison and along the east side of the fire line. Winds are lighter at the moment but could start to pick up again as the winds make the full change to the west and then north. Winds in western Kansas were very impressive with a gust to 75 miles per hour reported around 11:30 p.m. around the Colby area. Winds gusts of 60 miles per hour were reported in Dodge City. Hopefully it will not do that here.
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UPDATE: As of 1:05 a.m. Tuesday: The winds are moving into the St. John area as the wind shift line moves closer. Many crews have been sent back to their stations to rest up and reload for anything that might come along with the change in the wind. We have not heard much regarding the fire at 17th and Willison in the last hour. Bull dozers were working to build a fire line in that area. Firefighters also continue to monitor hot spots for anything that could reignite when the wind does change direction. At this time they are advising all fire crews on the scene that they should prepare to move to the east side of the fire line.
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UPDATE: As of 12:05 a.m. Tuesday: Crews continue to battle a fire at 17th and Willison that has been burning for a little more than an hour. Bull dozers are in the area trying to build a fire line to slow it down. Winds are starting to turn. Burning trees are still a problem in some areas. Crews are hoping the wind is not as strong as reported in western Kansas where gusts have been reported as high as 60 MPH. Still no reports of injuries throughout this fire.
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UPDATE: As of 11:45 p.m.. Fire crews trying to take a break at their trucks for now. HFD had to respond to another structure fire in the city. This one at 3rd and Elm that was called in around 11:15 p.m. There was another structure fire in the 400 block of E Sherman earlier Monday afternoon. The front that is supposed to change the wind overnight was stretching from Concordia to Hays to Dodge City where winds were reported at 60 miles per hour from the northwest in Dodge City and in excess of 45 miles per hour in Garden City. Concordia also had wind gusts of 55 miles per hour and Hays reported winds at 54 miles per hour. There was talk Monday about the National Guard bringing in the Blackhawk helicopters to help with fire but the wind was too strong. Sheriff Darian Campbell noted during his last press conference that the helicopters could be an option Tuesday if the weather will allow and if they are needed.
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UPDATE: As of 11 p.m.: Still waiting on the wind to change. Several out of town crews are being sent home and others are heading back to their local stations to rest and get ready for what could be a busy day on Tuesday. The fire department is trying to keep a balance of necessary crews on hand while resting others and sending as much of the mutual aid home as possible. Winds are expected to shift to the west and then north. Wind speeds could reach 45 miles. A section of 108th between Plum and Lorraine was closed for most of the evening due to a downed tree. Crews were working to reopen that road. A fire was called into dispatch at 17th and Willison around 10:45 p.m. but the extent of that fire is not known. RNSO says 4th Avenue is now open again but Plum is closed from 82nd to 108th, 95th is closed from Plum to Lorraine and 30th is closed from Kent to Buhler Rd.
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UPDATE: As of 10:30 p.m.: Emergency Management has just given an update on the weather. The major wind shift is still expected between 2 and 3 a.m. with winds moving to the west and then north. Winds could gust as high as 45 miles per hour. Crews are still working in the wooded areas around 43rd between Kent and Willison. Sheriff Darian Campbell provided a press conference around 9:30 p.m. The 95th and Plum fire burned about 300-400 acres in Reno County before moving into McPherson County. About 600 acres burned with the 4th and Willison fire. The volunteer help has been tremendous with several restaurants providing food and drink. Volunteers have also brought out food and help to fire crews through out the afternoon and evening. Mitigation efforts continue in expectation of that wind change overnight. Campbell did confirm that a structure was involved in the fire at 95th and Plum but could not give any further details. Structure crews have been called back to town so they can rest and recharge to help out with the fire during the day Tuesday.
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UPDATE: As of 8:21 p.m.: Reno County issued this press release a few moments ago:
Reno County, Kansas – March 29, 2021 – Reno County Emergency Management, along with fire departments from Reno, Rice, Sedgwick, Harvey, and McPherson counties, are battling a large fire northeast of Hutchinson. The fire was first reported near 4th Ave. and Willison Rd. and spread north quickly due to winds in excess of 50 miles per hour. As of 6:30 p.m., approximately 600 acres have been burned but no reports of structure damage or injuries.
The wind is expected to shift direction around midnight possibly testing the containment lines. “We’re looking at probably four to seven days before we leave this area,” said Doug Hanen, Division Chief of Operations. “It is in very heavy timber all along the west flank. We actually have active bulldozers working at this point trying to cut some fire breaks, it’s still quite a labor-intensive process at this point.”
Another fire is also being worked near 95th and Plum Street and is moving into McPherson County, stretching fire resources thin. The Sheriff is asking the public to please avoid the area of 30th Ave. to 43rd Ave., from Kent Rd. to Buhler Rd. to allow access for fire vehicles. Evacuations are voluntary at this time. If you do choose to evacuate, lock doors, turn on any sprinklers, and the Sheriff Department will be patrolling the area.
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UPDATE: As of 8:03 p.m.: Crews still having to deal with strong winds in excess of 50 miles per hour. Fires continue to flare up in the Willison/ Kent fire but as of now the fire is still south of 43rd. Another matter to take care of is that some crews have been out for more than six hours now and trucks are starting to run low on fuel. Fuel trucks have been on hand to fuel vehicles at several areas around the fires. McPherson County has a truck on hand to provide first aid and relief for fire fighters working the 95th and Plum fire which has now moved into McPherson County. Crews have also moved back to 95th and Plum to make sure that area is secured before the wind changes later tonight. A press conference is scheduled for 9:30 at the fire training center. We'll be there and bring you the latest information.
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UPDATE: As of 7:25 p.m. : A press conference was held involving Sheriffs Darian Campbell and Doug Hann with Hutch Fire. The Kent/ Willison fire is still be being held at 43rd. Water drops continue. About 600 acres has burned with this fire but no injuries or damage has been reported. East 4th Avenue is now open but motorist are asked to stay away from 30th between Kent and Buhler Road. The 95th and Plum fire has jumped the county line and is now in McPherson County. Crews continue to work structure protection south of that area. No mandatory evacuations were ordered but residents are asked to leave the area if the fire approaches. Works also continues on the south end of these fires are the winds are forecast to shift around midnight.
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UPDATE: As of 6:48 p.m. : The 95th and Plum fire has jumped the road at 108th. Fire crews have been moved out of the area. The fire is moving into more open ground which has fewer trees. More help is arriving from outside agencies. Crews were also summon to the 9700 block of N. Plum for a structure fire and crews continue to do structure protection. Fires continue to flare up along the Willison/ Kent fire. Air drops continue in that area as crews try to keep the fire from advancing. The latest forecast calls for wind to start turning around Midnight and should be out of the north around 3 a.m. Fire crews are working to prepare for the shift in the winds which could push the fire to the east and then south.
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UPDATE: As of 6:30 p.m. : As crews continue to fight these two fires plans are already being put in place to deal with the wind change that is in the forecast for tonight. Winds are expected to stay brisk at 35-45 MPH as they shift to the west and eventually to the north. Winds are expected to blow at better than 35 MPH through out the day tomorrow. Crews are working to set up burns that they hope will help curb and shift in the fires later tonight. The latest has the wind shifting sometime after 3 a.m. Crews have started the back burn at the 1/2 mile mark of 108th east to Lorraine. Bull dozers and other heavy equipment has been brought in to help free stuck fire trucks which is a common problem for fire fighting in the northern parts of the county.
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UPDATE: As of 6:10 p.m.: Fire crews working to keep the Willison fire in front of them at 43rd Avenue. Crews still working on structure protection. The 95th Avenue fire is moving north and crews are setting up back fires at 108th between Plum and Lorraine. The fire is also threatening to push east of Lorraine. Air drops continue from the Kansas Forrest Service. Crews are finding water supplies and several businesses are helping out by providing water. As is a normal problem with fires in the north part of the county, trucks are getting stuck out in fields and creek beds.
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UPDATE: As of 5:47 p.m.: Crews continue to move north of the 95th and Plum fire. Fire fighters have set up along 108th Avenue to set defensive burns. Crews also working along 43rd between Kent and Willison to fight that fire. Crews also working a fire in southern McPherson County which is forcing response from them. They also have a fire near Marquette in northern McPherson County. Crews are also working to find as many water sources as possible to keep brush trucks filled.
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UPDATE: As of 5:24 p.m.: Reno County Emergency Management says that the county has had six fires today along with one just north in McPherson County in the Inman area that is going on at this time.
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UPDATE: As of 5:16. Crews continue to battle two fires now. The one from this afternoon is moving to 43rd Avenue and the second one started at 95th and Plum. Crews from McPherson and Rice County's have been called in to help with the second fire.
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UPDATE: As of 4:42 p.m.: Another fire has been reported. This is one at Plum and 95th. That area was involved in a fire Yesterday. Multiple crews are heading that way. They are asking Rice and McPherson County if they can send help to deal with the new emergency.
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UPDATE: As of 4:25 p.m.: Crews have moved north to 43rd Avenue and structure crews continue to protect buildings in the area between Kent and Willison and 30th to 43rd. Fire has now traveled more than two miles in some areas.
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UPDATE: As of 4:06 p.m. These are the current Road Closings
4th, 17th, and 30th from Kent Rd to Buhler Rd
Kent, and Willison from 4th to 30th. Also structure crews are having to respond to a structure fire in the 400 Block of E. Sherman in the city of Hutchinson. HFD is asking for mutual aid for that fire
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UPDATE: As of 3:55 p.m.: Crews continue to fight this fire. The fire has now jumped 30th Avenue and continues to move north. Winds have been gusting to near 50 MPH. Airdrops were being conducted along 30th Avenue in an effort to stop the fire from crossing the road. Crews are also working to protect buildings in the path of the fire.
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UPDATE: As of 3:32 p.m.: Many outside agencies offering aid on the fire. At least four area counties have sent help. Some of the cities responding include: McPherson, Mt Hope, Colwich, Wichita, Inman, Buhler. Air drops continue.
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UPDATE: As of 3:28 p.m.: Here is an update on the busses not running from Buhler USD 313:
15-Sally Davene (Plum Creek and PHMS)
78-Ed Zahn (PHMS)
9-Sena Ramirez (Plum Creek)
35-Janet Gilata (PHMS)
1-Matthew Walter(UV)
39-Van Hickoter (UV)
24-Jason Wolf (BHS)
4-John Scott (UV and PHMS)
22-Kristyn Schmidt (BGS and BHS)
72-Dave Harmony (BHS)
82-Doug Collins (PHMS)
81-Vicki Willison (PHMS)
17-Greg Stone (BHS)
20-Russ Robinson(BGS and BHS)
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UPDATE: As of 3:21 p.m.: Todd Strain with Reno County Emergency Management reported to Hutch Post's Nick Gosnell that the fire appears to have started near 4th and Willison. Earlier reports had it between 4th and 17th Avenues. Air drops are being use to fight the fire as is continues to move north.
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UPDATE: as of 3:05 p.m.: Buhler USD 313 is putting plans together for dealing with its rural students. Bus routes affected by the fire are being held back at this time.
The list of busses is below. USD 313 says they will hold these students at schools for parents to pick up.
Busses not running: Routes. 15, 78, 9, 35, 1, 39, 24, 4, 22, 72, 82, 81, 17
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UPDATE: as of 2:45 p.m.: Crews continue to fight a major brush fire east of Hutchinson. Crews are setting back fires to slow the fire down.
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UPDATE as of 2:30 p.m. : McPherson Fire crews are responding to the call for mutual aid. Fire continues to move quickly north.
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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fire crews are battling a large wildfire east of Hutchinson. The call came out around 2:10 p.m. for a fire located between 4th and 17th Avenue along Willison Road. The fire was moving north.
Crews from McPherson, Harvey, and Sedgwick Counties have been summoned for mutual aid.
Winds have been blowing out of the south at better than 40 MPH.
We’ll keep you up to date on the latest as it becomes available.
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