by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY/POTTWATOMIE COUNTIES - According to a media release sent out on Tuesday(4/9) afternoon, the Burklund/Axelton Fire is considered to be 90% contained.
Pottawatomie County has released all mutual aid crews, while local volunteers continue to monitor the burned area for hotspots and areas of concern.
As for Riley County, crews from not only Riley County but also Pottawatomie County, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas City Kansas Wildland Task Force, Pittsburg, and Garden City, remain on scene monitoring fire conditions.
No aerial support was utilized on Tuesday.
“At this point, personnel and volunteers are mostly keeping an eye on things and addressing hot spots. We’re not worried about the fire advancing today, but we want to make sure nothing unexpected happens,” explained Doug Russell, Deputy Chief of Operations for Riley County Fire District #1.
Smoke and even flames in the burned areas can be expected for at least the next few days.
“Logs and brush piles in the burned areas will continue to smolder for a while,” said Russel Stukey, Fire Chief for Riley County Fire District #1. “Seeing smoke is not a cause for alarm at this time. However, if you believe you see fire that is escaping the blackened perimeter of a burned area, please call 911 right away.”
Pottawatomie County Fire Supervisor Jared Barnes reminds residents to check all past burns for anything that could escape and reignite the fire. Strong winds are predicted for late Wednesday into Thursday.
All roads previously closed in Riley County due to the Burklund/Axelton fire have since been reopened and all residents have been allowed to return home.
One home was lost in Riley County on Friday, and a few structures sustained fire damage over the weekend. No additional structures have been damaged in Riley County, and no structures in Pottawatomie County were lost or damaged as a result of this fire. No loss of livestock or injuries have been reported in either county.
“We appreciate all the work all the crews and volunteers have put in over the last several days. Conditions were difficult, but we never had a shortage of firefighters to do the work. It’s truly heartwarming to see how the community turns out to support each other during difficult times. Without all the volunteers in both counties, this disaster would have been a lot worse,” said Doug Russel.
“I also want to acknowledge the important sacrifice that firefighter families make when a firefighter is working to protect their neighbors and communities”, stated Jared Barnes. “Thank you for your support, encouragement, and understanding as they spend time away from loved ones.”
Thousands of acres have been burned as a result of this fire which started on Friday, April 5th in Pottawatomie County.
The official total number of acres burned should be released in the next few weeks.
