News release
At approximately 5:05 p.m. Thursday, the Ellis County Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Codell Road and Saline River Road for a large grass fire. While responding, due to the wind speeds, location and terrain, all Ellis County Fire Department units were dispatched to assist with the fire. Mutual aid was requested from the Plainville Fire Department, which also helped coordinate fire assistance from the Paradise/Waldo, Hays and Gorham fire departments. As fire crews arrived on scene, crews were met with high winds and low visibility due to smoke and dust.
Since there was a state emergency declaration for the fire weather, help was requested from the Kansas Forest Service and Air Tanker 95, a plane out of Hutchinson. The plane dropped several loads of water over the north end of the fire line where a large section of trees were on fire along the Saline River.
All the Ellis County Fire Department responded to assist to include 20 fire apparatus and 44 firefighters. The fire department was supported by the Ellis County EMS, Public Works and sheriff’s office.
The fire was reported under control at 7:19 p.m. Thursday, however the fire was not out. Fire crews stayed on scene until about 1:15 a.m. Friday to put out hot spots. A fire unit was left on scene overnight to monitor the area so units could be dispatched quickly if the fire rekindled.
The fire was most likely started by an oil field power line. It is estimated the fire burned approximately 610 acres, was 1.6 miles long, and about three-quarter of a mile wide. No structures were lost, and there were no reported injuries.
In addition to the efforts of the firefighters, a great impact to the success of extinguishing the fire was from the many different farmers on scene with farm implements and local business who hauled water to the fire department.
