MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Emergency officials announced that the evacuation area related to the ongoing grass fire will be reduced beginning at 5:45 p.m. as conditions continue to improve.
Under the updated order, the evacuation area will include 82nd Street south to the 6600 block of North Plum Street, and 69th Street east of Plum to Lorraine Avenue. Residents who live south of the 6600 block of North Plum will be required to show identification in order to travel north of 56th Street.
Fire crews will remain active throughout the evening, focusing on hotspot suppression in the areas between 82nd Street and 69th Street along Plum Street, as well as along 69th Street. Officials said crews are expected to work through the night to fully secure the fire perimeter and prevent flare-ups.
Authorities indicated they are hopeful the entire affected area can be reopened later this evening if conditions continue to improve. Residents are still urged to use caution and avoid the area unless necessary, as emergency personnel and equipment remain on scene.
PREVIOUS UPDQATE:
An evacuation order remains in effect Wednesday afternoon for areas from Plum Street east to Halstead and north of 56th Street, as firefighters continue to battle a fire burning on the east side of Hutchinson.
Officials said the primary fire is located near 82nd Street, east of Blue Spruce Road, extending toward the Rolling Hills area and the 1000 block of East 69th Street. A smaller portion of the fire is also burning near Plum Street and 69th Street on the east side, extending south to the 6400 block of North Plum.
The evacuation was ordered out of an abundance of caution. Residents are urged to avoid the area due to heavy emergency traffic. Authorities said conditions are improving for those outside the evacuation zone.
As a precaution, the Buhler School District evacuated Plum Creek Elementary School. Students were relocated to Cross Point Church, located at 1401 E. 30th Ave. Parents are instructed to pick up their children at the church after 2:15 p.m. and are asked not to go to the school due to the evacuation.
For additional information, parents may contact the Buhler School District central office at 620-543-2258.
Emergency crews remain on scene, and officials said further updates will be provided as conditions change.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Due to a brush fire north of town. Reno county emergency management is evacuating an area that is between Plum Street and K 61 and north of 68th Avenue and south of 82nd Avenue.
The Buhler school district is evacuating Plum Creek Elementary to Cross Point Church at 1410 East 3oth Ave., the district says parents will need to pick up their students at the church after 2:15pm today, the district says not to go to Plum Creek because of the evacuation process. If you have any questions, you can call the Buhler central office at 620-543-2258.
This is a developing story. We will provide updates as they become available.