News Flash

Riley County Home Page

Posted on: April 10, 2023

Two out-of-control fires burn thousands of acres in Riley County

flames burinng down steep hillside of grass

(Riley County, KS - April 10, 2023) Two major fires burned more than 3,500 acres last week. Both were prescribed burns that got out of control. Thankfully, no structures were lost and no injuries have been reported.


On Thursday, April 6, Riley County Fire District #1 crews were dispatched to Halls Ravine Road, north of Randolph for reports of a wildfire. A prescribed burn in the area got out of control, burning private land and igniting flood debris on U.S. Army Corps of Engineer property. 


A total of 22 RCFD#1 personnel responded on 11 apparatus, with mutual aid support from 2 Waterville Fire Department Units and 1 Manhattan Fire Department Unit. They were able to bring the fire under control that evening. Unfortunately, shifting and swirling winds rekindled the fire overnight, and crews were dispatched to the area again Friday, April 7. An estimated total of 1,500 acres were burned in this fire. 


“Our main advice is to be vigilant when conducting prescribed burns,” said Deputy Fire Chief Doug Russell. “Weather conditions can change quickly, and landowners have a major responsibility to maintain safety when burning.”


On Friday, April 7, RCFD#1 was dispatched to Tabor Valley Road in SE Riley County for reports of a prescribed burn that was out of control. Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke and a large area burning. A total of 22 personnel responded on 12 apparatus. 


An estimated 2,000 acres burned in this fire. A horse and donkey were threatened but were evacuated safely. 


“There were several miles of active fire line among various controlled burns and lots of smoke in the area,” said Deputy Chief John Martens. “The permit holder who started the 2000 acre fire was not on scene when we arrived and unable to be located. Several adjoining landowners and neighbors were responding and trying to protect their land and other areas not intended to be burned.”


The Riley County Police Department was requested to the Tabor Valley Road fire, but no contact had been made with the permit holder at the time of the fire.


“Agricultural burning was allowed in the morning, and the landowner had a permit to conduct the burn. However, a major part of the requirement is that anyone conducting a permitted burn must remain on scene and have enough equipment and personnel to conduct the burn safely,” said Martens. “We are investigating if the permit holder fulfilled their obligation to comply with burn permit requirements.” 


RCFD#1 crews responded to four additional fires over the weekend, but the Tabor Valley and Halls Ravine Road fires were by far the largest.


“This has been a difficult season,” said Russell. “Conditions are extremely dry, and several fires have gotten out of control. We’re fortunate to have such a dedicated crew of volunteers in Riley County. They are exhausted, but they continue to respond to support their neighbors and help keep the community safe.”


Dangerous fire weather is expected to return to the region tomorrow, with warm temperatures and winds gusting to 20-30 MPH. Today may be the last day agricultural burning is allowed for several days. Last week, a total of 61 permitted agricultural fires burned 21,000 acres in Riley County.


A map of all recent, active, and out-of-control burns is available on the Riley County website at www.rileycountyks.gov/fire in the burn permit section. For more information about burn permits or to apply to serve as a volunteer with Riley County Fire District #1 call 785-537-6333 during business hours. 


Sign up for emergency notifications, including burn condition notices, at www.rileycountyks.gov/alerts

firefighters in yellow coats hauling hose through smokey woodsfirefighters spraying and raking burned hillside

flames burinng down steep hillside of grass

RCFD#1
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Riley County Home Page

photo of construction equipment with text Public Works Update

9/20/2023 Public Works Project Update

Posted on: September 20, 2023
Riley County office building with logo, blue filter, and text 2024 budget information

2024 Budget - true vs false

Posted on: September 11, 2023
game day traffic map

Gameday Traffic Notice

Posted on: September 8, 2023
stone office building with high archways

Riley County 2024 Budget Update

Posted on: August 29, 2023
sun and thermometer drawing to represent dangerous heat

Safety Tips for Excessive Heat

Posted on: August 18, 2023
commuity lagoon in Leonardville

Keats Sewer Project Update

Posted on: August 7, 2023
bivalent covid vaccines now available

Bivalent COVID-19 Doses at RCHD

Posted on: May 1, 2023
volunteers in orange vests processing paperwork for testing patients in cars

Volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps

Posted on: February 7, 2023
photo of house with blue shapes and Riley County logo

Legal Time Trend Publication

Posted on: February 2, 2023
Man in dark suit raising hand, audience in background - Commissioner John Ford

2023 Swearing-In Ceremony

Posted on: January 9, 2023
Text 2022 General Election Results on blue field with Riley County logo

Election Night Results

Posted on: November 8, 2022
TDCW4682

9/28/2022 Tractor Fire in No. Riley County

Posted on: September 27, 2022
wildland firefighters, flames, and tall grasses

4/11/2022 Carlson Road Fire Update

Posted on: April 8, 2022

Board of County Commission Meetings

Posted on: January 1, 2022

Road Construction & Closures

Posted on: February 4, 2011