HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson fire and surrounding departments were kept busy with two wildfire east of the city. The first was called in around 2 p.m. in an area around E. 23rd and Obee Rd. Crews fought to contain the fire to an area south of 30th Avenue.
A second fire was then called in around 3:45 p.m. at 30th and Willison Rd. Fire crews had to go into structure saving mode as the fire threatened several residences in the area. Crews are spending the night putting out hot spots and monitoring the area.
So far there are no reports of how much damage has been done and there are no reports of any injuries.
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UPDATE: As of 9:20 p.m. Crews continue to work both fires that started along 30th Avenue. They are being named the Linksland Fire which started near Prairie Dunes and the Willison Fire which started near 30th and Willison. The two fires were among seven called in on Tuesday but these two are the largest.
The cause of the first fire near Prairie Dunes is said to have started from a smoldering brush pile burned several weeks ago. It is similar to what started the Albright fire last week.
Back burning helped keep the fire from jumping 30th Ave and into another subdivision and the Prairie Dunes Golf Course area. Brush piles burned recently were also to blame for the fire located near Willison and 30th Ave. That fire did jump 30th Ave, but but was stopped short of 43rd Ave. Residents along 30th and Willison were asked to evacuate and fire crews went on building protection procedures to save homes in the area.
Crews will be out on Wednesday to conduct damage assessments in both fires.
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UPDATE: As of 5:45 p.m. Residents along E. 30th are being allowed back into their homes as crews continue to mop up hot spots in the areas of the two fires from this afternoon. However E 30th will remain closed from Obee Rd. to Buhler Rd at least through the evening hours due to the large number of trucks and fire equipment in the area.
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UPDATE: As of 4:40 p.m.: East 30th Avenue is now closed just west of Lucille near the fire station so fire trucks can use the area for staging crews. It appears fire crews are stating to get the upper hand on both of the fires that have been burning through out the afternoon.
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UPDATE: As of 4:30 p.m. Rural Fire District Four in Pretty Prairie has been called out for mutual aid for a brush fire in Kingman County. Meanwhile crews are starting to get the upper hand on the two fires in Reno County. Still no reports of damage or injuries.
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UPDATE: As of 3:50 p.m.: Fire crews are working top evacuate residents around 30th and Willison as a fire continues in that area. Excavating equipment is being used to clear out areas and crews are back burning to try and slow the fire. Crews are now in structure protection in the area of 30th and Willison.
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UPDATE: As of 3:40 p.m.: Fire crews are being moved to an area around 43rd and Mayfield for a fire.
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UPDATE: As of 3:20 p.m.: Fire crews have been called out to 9110 E 30th for a fire. This is near 30th and Willison.
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UPDATE: As of 2:50: Crews have not been able to find anything near Nickerson and are being dispatched to other locations.
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UPDATE: As of 2:45 p.m.: Reno County Sheriff deputies continue to evacuate residents as needed north of 30th Avenue.
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UPDATE: As of 2:30 p.m. RFD #3 is responding to a new brush fire reported at K-96 and Nickerson Boulevard as of 2:30 p.m.
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UPDATE: As of 2:00 p.m. USD 313 says buses will not run this afternoon and parent pick up can begin immediately.
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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire is working on a large grassfire east of Hutchinson south of 30th and Obee. There also appears to be another grass fire east of Buhler between 82nd and 95th off of Woodberry.
Currently Deputies are blocking traffic on 30th to give fire crews room to work and try to get this under control. Deputies are working to try and notify/evacuate residents as they can.
USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman, no buses will run this afternoon and parent pick up can begin immediately.
The Kansas Forest Service airplane is fueled up and will be taking off as soon as needed.
Stay with Hutch Post for more information.