by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - On Monday morning, Incident Commanders from both Pottawatomie and Riley Counties went on an aerial tour of the Burklund/Axelton fire by helicopter.
The fire is estimated to be at 80% containment, with no homes or structures being threatened as of 3:30 pm on Monday, April 8th.
“Thankfully, the forward progression of the fire has stopped. We’ll continue to see smoke from some interior areas that are still burning, but we’re happy to announce the fire is mostly under control at this time,” said Bill Waln, State Fire Management Officer with the Kansas Forest Service.
The name of the fire was updated to signify the unified response between both Pottawatomie and Riley County Fire fighters.
The fire was previous called a different name in each county, moving forward this fire will be referred to as the Burklund/Axelton fire with statistics and information being released as a coordinated effort between the two counties.
Emergency responders continue to monitor the fire area and are encouraging residents to remain aware, as the fire situation could change at a moments notice.
Pottawatomie County Fire Supervisor Jared Barnes asked that residents continue to check past burns to make sure they are completely out and watch the weather for the next several days. “The weather forecast calls for calm winds through Wednesday evening, but north winds are expected to pick up again Thursday. We’re out of the emergency phase, but not completely out of danger, yet,” cautioned Doug Russell, Deputy Fire Chief for Riley County Fire District #1.
Crews on scene today:
-Aerial support through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management
-Wildland Task Force Crews from: Kansas City, Sumner County, Pittsburg, and Garden City
-Riley County Fire District #1
-Pottawatomie County Fire
-Kansas Forest Service
-Manhattan Fire Department
-US Fish and Wildlife
-Montgomery County
-Coffeyville Fire
-Wilson County Fire
-Jefferson County Fire District #6
-Jefferson County Emergency Management