Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency declaration due to the potential risk of wildfires through March 7. Conditions across the state are dry with low relative humidity, strong southerly winds and an abundance of dry grass and other flammable vegetation The majority of the state ranks in the categories of enhanced fire danger, significant fire danger or critical fire danger.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka will be activated through Saturday monitoring for critical fire weather across central and eastern Kansas. In addition, the Kansas National Guard has been placed on alert to provide aerial fire suppression support if needed.
It only takes one spark to start a wildfire, so Kansans are urged to be very cautious and to make sure all smoking materials are completely extinguished before discarding them. Contact the local county emergency manager to see if there is a burn ban in your area.