By Trish Svoboda

At 10:23 a.m. today, Governor Laura Kelly declared a verbal state of disaster emergency due to heightened fire weather conditions starting today, Monday, February 26th, and persisting throughout the week. This proclamation enables the utilization of resources to provide state assistance.

Elevated temperatures, gusty winds, and low humidity levels will generate heightened to very high fire weather conditions across numerous regions of the state.

“Weather conditions are such that a high risk exists for wildland fires,” Governor Kelly said. “I urge everyone across the state to use extreme caution and avoid burning, if at all possible. A single spark is enough to touch off a fire that could have devastating consequences.”

“We can all do our part to prevent unwanted fires,” Rodney Redinger, Assistant Fire Management Officer, Kansas Forest Service, said. “If there are opportunities to avoid welding, using cutting torches or other activities that could cause a spark, please do so over the next few days. If you must engage in spark-causing activities, make sure to have a fire extinguisher, water pressure can or other tool for extinguishing ready for a fire that could ignite.”

Starting tomorrow, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management will man the State Emergency Operations Center to aid counties and local responders upon request.