City of Hays
The Hays Fire Department has deployed firefighters and resources to southern Kansas to assist local agencies battling significant wildfires that ignited Tuesday and continue to burn today across the region.
The deployment comes as strong winds and drought conditions fueled large grass fires in Clark and Comanche counties, including blazes that crossed over from Oklahoma.
The Hays crews have joined a massive interagency response coordinated by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management in partnership with the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Kansas Forest Service, along with other state agency partners in the State Emergency Operations Center.
Hays Fire Chief Ryan Hagans emphasized the critical nature of mutual aid during such extreme weather events, drawing a parallel to the historic fires that devastated north-central Kansas in December 2021.
“When you have wind-driven events of this magnitude, no single department can handle it alone,” Hagans said. “The conditions we are seeing in southern Kansas, including sustained high winds, low humidity, and rapid fire spread, are dangerously similar to what was faced during the Four County Fire that affected our area years ago.
"It is imperative that we support our neighbors just as they would support us. We are committed to helping bring these fires under control to protect lives and property.”
Drivers are warned not to enter areas with restricted visibility or active fire operations.
“Do not go into areas where active fires are being fought,” Hagans said. “Give emergency crews time and space to work.”