WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Over the last several days, wildfires have forced the towns of Fowler, Meade and Ashland to evacuate.
Those fires didn’t make it into the towns, but the fight has taken a toll on local crews and equipment.
In a brief interview, exhausted Ashland Fire Chief Bill Neier said that after five days on the frontlines, his crews and equipment are at their breaking point. His trucks are still not at full capacity after February’s Ranger Road Fire.
Wildfire near Ashland (Courtesy: Ashland Fire Department)
Wildfire near Ashland (Courtesy: Ashland Fire Department)
Wildfire near Ashland (Courtesy: Ashland Fire Department)
Wildfire near Ashland (Courtesy: Ashland Fire Department)
Wildfire near Ashland (Courtesy: Ashland Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County. (Courtesy: Conway Springs Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County. (Courtesy: Conway Springs Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Silver Lake Fire Department)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Crawford County Emergency Management)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Crawford County Emergency Management)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Crawford County Emergency Management)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Crawford County Emergency Management)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Crawford County Emergency Management)
Wildfire near Ashland (Courtesy: Riley County Fire District 1)
Wildfire in Clark County (Courtesy: Shawnee County Fire District 4)
While the fight nears a week in length, Neier also said the tide seems to be turning as countless fire departments from across the state and the country flood in to help.
Riley County Fire District 1 is one of those departments.
“When you get out into the smaller rural communities and everybody’s volunteer, they have their day jobs, and it’s crucial to get their outside resources in to boost your capabilities for the duration of that disaster,” Chief Russel Stukey said.
Fundraiser set up for victims of southwest Kansas wildfires
Stukey sent units at the request of the state on Friday. They fought fires through Saturday and returned home safely on Sunday, around 4 a.m.
Crews like his are necessary to give local, mostly volunteer-run departments, a break so they can rest and repair their vehicles.
“Once your volunteers have been out there for 10, 12 hours, especially for a couple days in a row, they’re just wore out,” Stukey said. “You just need relief and more manpower so they can get a decent rest.”
Dangerous fire conditions push Kansas crews to their limits
Thanks to crews like Stukey’s, Ashland Chief Neier got a day off while other crews picked up the slack. He used the day to work on equipment and get some much-needed sleep.
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