9:00 AM UPDATE 4/12/2022
Crews monitored the fire overnight and remain on scene today. We were able to mitigate and remove a significant amount of excess fuel including eastern red cedars, dry and dead debris from the 2019 flood, and dry grasses yesterday evening by conducting prescribed burn outs and backfires. Using these methods allowed us to consume fuels in a controlled manner instead of risking larger fires under the expected high winds today.
There have been no injuries and no property has been lost. We will remain on high alert and ready for all types of weather – hoping for rain today.
We are thankful for our partners at Manhattan Fire Department, Fort Riley Fire Department, and the Tuttle Creek Lake Corps of Engineers.
The cause of this fire is unknown at this time.
7:45 PM UPDATE 4/11/2022
The fire continues to burn in an area that is mostly public property near Tuttle Creek Lake. Fort Riley Fire & Emergency Services and Manhattan Fire Department are on scene working with Riley County Fire District #1 to aggressively fight the fire. No structures are threatened at this time and no evacuations have been necessary. Crews are conducting backburning to help reduce available fuels.
4:30 PM UPDATE 4/11/2022
A large wildland grass fire is currently burning in the area near Baldwin Park Road, north of University Park in northern Riley County. Riley County issued a new disaster declaration to request assistance fighting this new fire. Riley County Fire District #1 is currently responding.
No structures are threatened at this time.
Fire danger remains high. No burning is allowed in Riley County at this time.
We will share updates as new information becomes available.
