Staff writer
A fire that consumed more than 1,000 acres Thursday south of Florence and east of US-77 was so hot meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Wichita watched it via satellite.
The fire was whipped by sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph.
Firefighters from the Marion County task force, Florence, Marion, Butler County, Chase County, Herington, and Kansas Forest Service fought the flames.
County emergency manager Marcy Hostetler said the fire was estimated to have consumed 1,000 to 1,500 acres.
High winds weren’t the only challenge, she said.
“The dry conditions and the low humidity were also a problem,” she said.
At one point, an air tanker was called to drop water on the fire, but firefighters decided it wasn’t needed.
Epps Farm Service brought fuel, Ag Service brought water to refill fire trucks, and ranchers and farmers in the area helped move cattle, removed debris, and supplied water.
Marion and Chase county emergency medical services brought drinking water to the scene.