By Payton Tholstrup

Photo Courtesy of Riley County District #1 FB Page.

According to an update from Riley County Fire District No. 1 at 3:30 p.m. on April 8th, the wildfire in Riley County and Pottawatomie County is now at 80% containment. No homes or structures are currently threatened, and the forward progression of the fire has stopped.

The name of the fire has been updated to the Burklund/Axelton Fire. This is the name officials will use moving forward. The name change reflects the unified response from both counties.

Previously, both counties had their own name for the fire; the Jenkins Fire in Pottawatomie County, and the Axelton Hill Road Fire in Riley County.

Emergency responders will continue to monitor the area. Residents are still encouraged to stay aware just in case the situation changes.

“The weather forest calls for calm winds through Wednesday evening, but north winds are expected to pick up again Thursday. We’re out of the emergency phase, but not completely out of danger yet,” said Doug Russell, Deputy Fire Chief for Riley County Fire District No 1.