By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Fire Department responded to multiple fire-related calls and assisted crews in Russell County on Thursday.
Hays was under a high wind and red flag warning until 6 p.m., with northwest winds reaching 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers said the fires were small and quickly contained.
One fire occurred at 11:41 a.m. near the Fort Hays State University Rodeo Indoor Arena, 1679 230th Ave.
A second fire started after a vehicle left the roadway because of zero visibility, igniting grass beneath the car at 1:02 p.m. in the 1700 block of Cathedral Avenue.
Myers said Ellis County crews provided aid to Russell County shortly before 3 p.m. after two large grass fires ignited between noon and 2 p.m.
A third fire in Ellis County was reported at 3:12 p.m. near the intersection of 330th Avenue and Schoenchen Road in Pfeifer.
No injuries or structural damage were reported in the county. Fire crews remained at the Russell County grass fires into the evening, with the Hays and Claflin fire departments also assisting.
This week marked the fourth anniversary of the Ellis County Fire that tore through Ellis, Russell, Rooks and Osborne counties.
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