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Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal disaster declaration on March 12 at 12:26 p.m. to provide state fire suppression resources to support local communities. This declaration allows state resources to assist where needed.

The warning focuses on central and eastern Kansas, where gusty winds have persisted and humidity is at its lowest. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and exercise extreme caution with activities like barbecues or smoking, as fires can spread rapidly under current conditions.

“We are in our typical spring fire season in Kansas,” said Bill Waln, Kansas Forest Service Fire Management Officer. “The heavy vegetation across the landscape this season is making prescribed burns more difficult to completely extinguish, which can allow live embers to remain. On windy days like these, those embers can quickly reignite and turn into wildland fires.”

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has raised the State Emergency Operations Center to an enhanced level and is staffing it with personnel from the Kansas Forest Service and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.