Small Town News

Trego Fire Burns Nearly 300 Acres

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Struggling against gusting winds that changed directions at least three times, firefighters in rural Trego County struggled against oppressive heat Wednesday to bring a grass fire under control.

Nearly three hours after the fire started, almost 300 acres had been burned, according to Trego County Rural Fire Chief Larry Eberle. The fire was about 5 miles east of Trego Center.

The fire started when dried grass and weeds started gathering up under a farmer's pickup as he pulled a sprayer through a field. The pickup and sprayer were destroyed by the fire, although Eberle said the farmer tried to extinguish the fire by cutting hoses on the sprayer and pumping water onto the flames.

There were no injuries in the fire, despite the day's heat and the added heat from the fire.

Firefighters from Ellis, Ness and Trego counties were called out to the fight the fire, and a truck from the WaKeeney Fire Department came out to assist.

Two water tanks from Simpson Farm Enterprises near Ransom were called to help haul water to waiting fire trucks.

Tractors operated by area farmers rushed to the scene as well, discing a fire break as the flames, leaping 15 to 20 feet into the air, were pushed along by the shifting winds. The flames threatened a line of evergreens and hay bales.

Mike Schneider, a Trego County rural firefighter, saw the smoke as he was working a field near Trego Center and rushed over to help out. He pushed his Ford tractor close to the fire, cutting a fire break as he went.

The fire was reported at about 2:30 p.m. and finally brought under control shortly after 5 p.m., Eberle said.

Conditions in northwest Kansas continue to deteriorate, with temperatures approaching or exceeding the century mark and a lack of rain. In the area near the fire, less than 1.5 inches of rain has fallen since July 1. The biggest rain amounted to 0.41 of an inch, and that fell July 5.



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© 2011 Western Kansas World Wakeeny, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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