Wildfires originating in Oklahoma have prompted evacuations in three Kansas towns – Ashland, Englewood and Herndon – as strong winds rapidly spread the blazes across state lines, officials confirmed Tuesday.
The Kansas Forest Service reported that the initial fire began in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and crossed into Kansas, impacting Englewood first before moving toward Ashland. Residents of Herndon were ordered to evacuate Tuesday afternoon, with the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atwood opening its doors as a shelter, according to a post from the Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office at 3:24 p.m. Local time.
The Johnson County Task Force is currently working to contain the fire near Ashland, while Assistant Fire Management Officer Dennis Carlson is leading efforts in Englewood. Carlson, who has been with the Kansas Forest Service since 1998, is responsible for coordinating with local fire departments, communities, and land managers to mitigate wildfire risk through training and prescribed burns.
Dangerous fire weather conditions are forecast to persist across most of Kansas through Thursday, according to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. Sustained winds of 30-40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 65 mph, combined with humidity levels as low as 10% and dry vegetation, are creating conditions conducive to rapid fire growth and unpredictable fire behavior.
The Kansas Forest Service is urging the public to comply with any evacuation orders and to stay clear of areas affected by the fires to allow emergency responders access. A separate, significant fire is also burning in Rawlins County, Kansas.
