During yesterday’s wind storm, Riley County Fire District 1 had to their own fires as racing grass fires from as far west as Hays churned up walls of soot and ash.
The tremendous wind speeds prevented the smoke from rising and dissipating into the upper atmosphere.
By late afternoon, the haze was a dusty patina and burnt grass from a hundred miles away stung noses and eyes all over the county.
Riley County Fire District 1 responded to fires around the county, the largest of which was north of Randolph on Hilltop Road.
All fires have been extinguished.
Despite calls to contain numerous grass fires throughout the storm, Riley County Emergency Management Director Russell Stukey said that he was not aware of any significant structure damage in the county.
“All 15 of our stations responded to calls,” Stukey said, “some of them went back twice.”
Sparks from downed powerlines caused most of the fires. “There is significant damage to power lines and large numbers of fallen trees and poles,” Stukey said
Stukey said he does not have specific figures for downed power lines, but he is now gathering damage assessments for all county facilities.