KEARNY COUNTY —Aviation and ground resources from Kansas Forest Service and surrounding areas assisted in fighting a wildfire in Kearny County on Tuesday. The fire started approximately 6 miles west of Lakin. and was rapidly moving north and east toward Highway 50. Wind gusts over 30 mph are made fighting the fire very difficult, according to a social media report from the Forest Service.&nbsp; U.S. 50 was temporarily closed in the area due to the smoke.&nbsp;

Fire crews were able to stop the spread of the fire but firefighters worked overnight to actively monitor hot spots. Significant heat still remains within the fire area, posing concerns due to the weather forecast for Wednesday. 

&nbsp;Air tankers dropped 59 loads—approximately 34,200 gallons of water fighting the fire, according to the Kansas Forest Service. There were no injuries reported.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743595253093.png" alt="Photo Kansas Forest Service." />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Forest Service.</figcaption>
 </figure>KEARNY COUNTY —Aviation and ground resources from Kansas Forest Service and surrounding areas assisted in fighting a wildfire in Kearny County on Tuesday. The fire started approximately 6 miles west of Lakin. and was rapidly moving north and east toward Highway 50. Wind gusts over 30 mph are made fighting the fire very difficult, according to a social media report from the Forest Service.&nbsp; U.S. 50 was temporarily closed in the area due to the smoke.&nbsp;Fire crews were able to stop the spread of the fire but firefighters worked overnight to actively monitor hot spots. Significant heat still remains within the fire area, posing concerns due to the weather forecast for Wednesday. &nbsp;Air tankers dropped 59 loads—approximately 34,200 gallons of water fighting the fire, according to the Kansas Forest Service. There were no injuries reported.

Forest Service air tankers dropped 59 loads of water on SW Kansas fire