Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation yesterday,February 26th, due to increased fire weather conditions beginning today and continuing through the rest of the week. This declaration allows resources to be used to provide state assistance.
Warmer conditions, strong winds and low relative humidities, will create high to very-high fire weather conditions for many parts of the state. Kelly urges everyone across the state to use extreme caution and avoid burning at all, saying a single spark could touch off a fire that could have devastating consequences.
Rodney Redinger, Assistant Fire Management Officer, Kansas Forest Service, says if you must engage in spark-causing activities, make sure to have a fire extinguisher, water pressure can or other tool for extinguishing, ready for a fire that could ignite. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will staff the State Emergency Center starting today to assist counties and local responders if requested. That includes the Ottawa Fire Department who recently became certified to fight wildfires, and has an agreement with the Kansas Forest Service to send firefighters to fires in other parts of the state and country, if needed.
