Wildfires burn nearly 130,000 acres in Clark and Meade counties in Kansas
Dry lightning strikes started fires in southwest Kansas May 14 when a powerful storm system tore through the area. Strong winds, high temperatures in the subsequent days, and very dry vegetation kept firefighters active for nearly a week following the initial fires.
As of May 19, the Kansas Forest Service said the Herman Ranch Complex in Clark County had reached 35,455 acres burned and was 30% contained. This complex of fires included the 500-Acre Pond Fire, the Herman Ranch Fire, the Bouziden Ranch Fire and the Lexington Fire.
In Meade County, as of May 19, according to the KFS, the Meade Lake Complex fire has consumed 92,733 acres and is 70% contained. The fires in this complex include: the Wolf Canyon Fire, the Meade County Complex 1 and 2, the Proffitt Lake fire, and the two unstaffed fires in the southern part of the county.
Media reports said the fires quickly surpassed what local and mutual aid responses could handle, and assistance from the state was requested during the weekend. KFS said there was aviation, KFS DFMOs, and in-state Wildfire Taskforces mobilized.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued a verbal State of Emergency Declaration on May 15, and local declarations have been issued; there is no federal emergency declaration.
Significant progress was made containing the fires May 19, after a cold front came through May 18 and pushed the fires back south after they’d been progressing northward. More than 200 firefighters were estimated to have helped the two complexes get contained.
The Ashland, Kansas Fire Department’s Facebook page on May 20, thanked all those who helped contain the fire in Clark County.
“We are relieved that our deployment to combat these devastating fires has come to an end. We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we received and wish to extend our sincerest appreciation to each individual who contributed to our efforts. We also owe a debt of gratitude to our families and employers, who selflessly managed our homes and jobs while we battled these fires,” the page stated.
“The external assistance from across the states was instrumental in our efforts, and we appreciate the ongoing support. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the ranchers who utilized their own resources to help contain these fires,” the post stated. “This was one of the most challenging fires we have faced since 2017, with temperatures soaring to 100 degrees, difficult terrain, and multiple fires posing significant challenges. Once again, we offer our sincerest gratitude for the unwavering support you have provided us.”
Similar sentiments were posted on the Meade County Sheriff’s social media channels. Meade County Sheriff Doug Ritter said the office is “extremely grateful” for the firefighters who fought this week’s fires.
“I would like to take a moment to focus on and recognize the Meade County Sheriff’s Communications Staff. Communication’s goal is to be ‘the calm in the chaos’—they act as the critical lifeline connecting the community to police, fire, and medical resources,” he said. “Dispatchers don’t make arrests, fight fires, or patch up injured people. They’re armed with radios, telephones, and computers. Even though they do everything they can in an emergency: page first responders, be the voice on the other end of the 9-1-1 to calm the caller, request resources from local counties, direct calls from public and press, all while documenting the who/what/where of all the responders working.”
The Ashland Community Foundation and the Meade County Community Foundation have already teamed up to help those affected by the fires start the recovery process. On May 19, Larry Konrade, ACF treasurer and board member, met with Meade County Community Foundation’s Casie McAtee to present funds to. Jamie Post and Red Dye. Both Meade County residents lost their primary residences in the fires.
“Red had lived in his house for 87 years. We know there are items that can never be replaced for both Jamie and Red, but through the generous donations received so far, we were able to distribute an initial $10,000 check to them both to help replace personal belongings that were lost,” their Facebook page stated.
Konrade collected a $25,000 donation from Stockgrowers State Bank-Meade branch from Darrin Golliher, senior vice president at SSB-Meade branch.
The pair stated they’re just getting started and have a goal to continue to raise funds for the fire relief effort in the weeks to come.
Ashland Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity, and donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made via a PayPal Link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/MW9QDY76U2DPS or checks can be made payable to the following: Ashland Community Foundation, PO Box 267, Ashland, KS 67831.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
