Record Year For Grass Fires In Kansas, Local Communities Reel

A fire that started in Lane County around noon Monday and spread into Hodgeman and Ness counties, was confirmed Wednesday morning to have scorched 57,000 acres over two days, contributing to what already has been a record year for grass fires in Kansas. Lane County Emergency Management Director Bill Taldo said the fire engulfed five homesteads, two of which had families living in them at the time, and a total of 20 different structures. He added that 40 to 50 livestock were killed in the fire, which has been deemed a natural disaster. “I’ve been here for 12 years, and I can tell you by far that’s the biggest,” Taldo said of the fire.