Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency declaration due to wildland fires in northwest Kansas. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria.
"We want to do everything we can to support local first responders," Kelly said. "This declaration will allow the state to posture to support local response as needed."
The northwestern portion of the state is at a heightened fire risk through Sunday, Nov. 8, due to dry conditions across the state and low relative humidity, strong southerly winds, and an abundance of dry grass and other flammable vegetation.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka is currently activated in response to the coronavirus pandemic and will be monitoring for critical fire weather across Kansas.