JOHNSON CITY – Gov. Sam Brownback declared a state of disaster last night for Stanton County in extreme southwestern Kansas after a grass wildfire burned about 60 square miles. Winds of more than 40 miles an hour drove the fire, which threatened Johnson City and Manter. No houses were burned but several farm buildings and barns were destroyed. At one point, people living near Manter were evacuated. Firefighters from five western Kansas counties and two Colorado counties were involved in fighting the wildfire. Authorities said the fire was almost contained by late last night. The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.
Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 a.m.
