By Trish Svoboda/Images courtesy of the Riley County Fire Department
Riley County Fire District #1 announced that on Thursday, March 19, it responded to a prescribed pasture burn reported out of control near Tabor Creek Lane, south of Zeandale.
According to the release, when crews arrived, the fire had spread south into timbered draws and onto nearby properties. Rough terrain limited access and made suppression efforts more difficult, prompting firefighters to conduct multiple backburn operations to contain the fire and slow its spread.
An estimated 400 acres burned, including about 70 acres from the original prescribed fire. Fifteen RCFD#1 personnel responded with seven apparatus, while Wabaunsee County Fire Department assisted with one brush truck and two personnel. Crews remained on scene until about 8:30 p.m.
A Fire Weather Watch is in effect this weekend, and officials warn that any new fire could spread quickly.
