by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - On Friday, July 28th, Riley County Fire District #1(RCFD#1) was dispatched to the 2700 block of Purcell Road, north of Manhattan on the report of a brush fire, just after 9:00 a.m.
When crews arrived they found flames rapidly moving up the heavily wooded hillside.
Twenty volunteer firefighters from RCFD #1 responded with 8 fire apparatus. The Manhattan Fire Department provided mutual aid with five fire personnel and two fire apparatus responding.
Members of the Riley County Police Department, Kansas Department of Transportation, and Riley County Emergency Medical Services assisted with safety, traffic control and medical observation of the first responders.
By 11:15 a.m. the fire was contained and crews remained on scene monitoring for hotspots and flare ups.
It's estimated the fire burned between three to five acres, no homes or structures were damaged.
“These were difficult conditions in very steep terrain,” said Deputy Fire Chief John Martens. “The densely packed cedar trees and the abundance of fire fuel made the situation critical. If not for the quick response, this could have been a devastating fire. The dedication of our volunteers, some of whom took time off work to answer the call during the workday, is truly humbling."
According to the RCFD#1, the cause of the fire has not been determined but appears to be accidental.
To learn more about Riley County Fire District #1 or apply to become a volunteer, visit rileycountyks.gov/fire or call 785-537-6333 during business hours. Follow RCFD#1 on Facebook /RCFD1, Twitter @RileyCoFire, and Instagram RileyCoFire.