RAWLINS COUNTY —A Special Agent with the Kansas State Fire Marshall assisted in an investigation of a grass fire in Rawlins County.

The area of origin for the grass fire was a burn pit that has not been used in over a week, according to a social media report fro the State Fire Marshal. The property owner last checked the burn pit the previous weekend and saw no signs of smoldering. 

The State Fire Marshall reminded the public that burn pits can smolder for days or weeks, even after they fire appears to be out. "One tip is to keep up on property maintenance by keeping vegetation mowed down and away from any structures.It does not take long for dry material to go up in flames."

 Two Thomas County Deputies who were alerted to the fire in the neighboring county responded and observed a group of trees/bushes near a shed ignite. One deputy stated, "It was a big flash and the bushes were gone."&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no injuries from the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741869355350.jpeg" alt="Aftermath of the grass fire that started out in the burn pit that went unused for a week, unknowingly smoldering under the ash and any remaining debris, being fanned by winds around 20 mph, finally igniting and spreading.-photo Kansas State Fire Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Aftermath of the grass fire that started out in the burn pit that went unused for a week, unknowingly smoldering under the ash and any remaining debris, being fanned by winds around 20 mph, finally igniting and spreading.-photo Kansas State Fire Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>RAWLINS COUNTY —A Special Agent with the Kansas State Fire Marshall assisted in an investigation of a grass fire in Rawlins County.The area of origin for the grass fire was a burn pit that has not been used in over a week, according to a social media report fro the State Fire Marshal. The property owner last checked the burn pit the previous weekend and saw no signs of smoldering. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741869157017.png" alt="Photo Kansas State Fire Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas State Fire Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>The State Fire Marshall reminded the public that burn pits can smolder for days or weeks, even after they fire appears to be out. "One tip is to keep up on property maintenance by keeping vegetation mowed down and away from any structures.It does not take long for dry material to go up in flames." Two Thomas County Deputies who were alerted to the fire in the neighboring county responded and observed a group of trees/bushes near a shed ignite. One deputy stated, "It was a big flash and the bushes were gone."&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no injuries from the fire.

Fire Marshall: Burn pit unused for a week sparked NW Kan. fire