UPDATE: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation because of increased fire weather conditions that will continue into the middle of next week. The declaration allows for the positioning of state resources to help with any wildfire situations that may occur. The Kansas Forest Service and other agencies will have equipment ready and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management will be ready to help counties and local responders.
The governor is urging people to use extreme caution and avoid outdoor burning if at all possible.
With dry and windy conditions across Kansas, there will be an increased danger of wildfires going into the weekend. The forecast is calling for gusty south winds and highs in the low 90s through Saturday.
Sedgwick County officials are urging people to avoid outdoor burning and limit the use of chimineas, campfires or barbecue grills. People are also urged not to dispose of cigarettes by throwing them out a car window as they’re driving.
The National Weather Service says a very high grassland fire danger will be in place starting Thursday, and continuing through the weekend for central and parts of south central Kansas. The most critical fire weather day looks to be Friday afternoon and early evening with south winds gusting to around 40 miles an hour.
