State officials said yesterday that the recent rain helped emergency responders across Kansas put out the latest wave of wildfires. Sixty-two wildland fires burned more than 17,000 acres between March 14th and 18th. The wildfires initially broke out in Rice county but were followed by fires in eight other counties -- including Barber and Reno, which were affected by fires earlier in March as well.
State officials warn that despite the substantial rain – Dodge City, Kansas received an inch -- fire danger is not over for the season and much of the state will remain in drought. The Wichita Eagle reports that drought conditions this year are worse than last year -- as of March 13th, 98% of Kansas was experiencing drought compared to 69% the year before.
Dry, windy conditions are expected later this week, bringing with them the risk of wildfires.