UPDATE: As of 3:45: Crews still working on both the Ice fire at 108th and the Beer fire at 43 and areas behind that. Most of the work is dealing with large trees. The old cottonwood trees are often hollow and can burn inside the trunk for long periods of time. The red cedar which is dangerous due to its explosive nature in a fire is also presenting problems. Below is a photo of the two fires outlined in red and how they traveled through the county.
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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fire crews continue to work two fires in the county. In a press conference held late Tuesday morning Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer gave an update.
“Our fire units continue to work two fires near Hutchinson. The Ice fire on Plum Street between 95th and 108th, and the Beer fire from 4th Avenue to 43rd between Kent and Willison,” Beer said. “Both fires are about 50% contained as of this morning.”
Beer says mostly hot spots in timber are the main challenges along with the wind.
Beer says that they were able to save every home and structure in both fires with an estimated value in excess of $17 million. Beer says that comes from learning lessons from past wildfires in the county.
The fire department has been in contact with the National Guard about deploying Blackhawk helicopters so they can pinpoint water drops on the problem areas. The wind was still too strong during the morning hours to do that. They hope that might change later today.
Two task forces from Harvey and Sedgwick County are on the scene along with 12 HFD crews. Beer says that more than 900 acres has burned in the two fires, around 80 fire units were involved from around the area and nearly 170 fire fighters.
Beer says that they hope to have both fires under control by Monday. He also noted that the fire danger will remain very high through the weekend. Most roads are open again but the Reno County Sheriff’s Department is strongly urging motorists to stay out of the area due to the large amount of heavy equipment that is in the area. Only 108th east of Plum remains closed at this time.
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