WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Thursday evening summary: The scene near 29th Street North and Greenwich is much different than hours earlier, when smoke and flames filled the air. Concern grew among those who live and work in the area.

The fast-spreading grass fire, fueled by record-breaking temperatures, strong winds and dry soil, was estimated to have covered about 300 acres in northeast Wichita and a portion of Sedgwick County north of the city.

From Thursday night through Friday morning, emergency responders will be on the lookout for hotspots and ensure an outbreak does not occur. The much-needed rain also benefited efforts to contain the fire.

A Sedgwick County Fire Department battalion chief said the fire destroyed an abandoned building, but quick work by first responders, including a mutual aid effort, helped keep neighborhoods and businesses in the area outside the Stryker Sports Complex and Jabara Airport between the Protect Webb and Greenwich Streets.

Around 60 firefighters from various agencies were deployed to contain the fire. Mutual aid came from the ground and air as an air tanker provided by the Kansas Forest Service dropped water on the flames from above. Firefighters say requesting aerial assistance at a fire is a rare call they have to make, especially in Sedgwick County. It was necessary on Thursday.

As the fire continued to break out, several businesses decided to evacuate. Sydney’s Pet Resort and Spa was one of those, asking pet owners to pick up their pets around 4pm on Thursday. 12 News spoke with a pet owner about how the fire was so close to his dog.

“I was surprised at how big it was,” the pet owner said. “I saw emergency vehicles drive past me, probably not so well. I was surprised and watched the news to see what was going on. So yeah, I’m glad that it seems to be happening and people are staying here. I’m glad they notified us and I was able to pick up my dog.”

It took about an hour before the fire could not advance further north. A major reason for this was the strong winds that pushed the flames further.

“All fields are fully cured, meaning they ignite regularly. When you have fuels that can ignite on a regular basis, combined with above-average temperatures, high winds and low humidity, it all adds up to a pretty volatile situation when it comes to wildfires,” said Sedgwick County Battalion Chief Lane Pearman.

Although the official cause of the fire has not been confirmed, officials believe they know where it started: in a pile of mulch mixed with dry grass and trash in front of the Stryker Sports Complex parking lot. This became a hotspot that flared up again and again.

Firefighters sprayed the area around 5:30 p.m. However, before that, winds carried the fire further north into a field where crews will remain throughout the night.

Update 7 p.m.: A favorable weather change and mutual aid, which included an airstrike, made a difference in the fight to contain a large grass fire that spread from an area near 29th Street North and Greenwich.

After sunset on Thursday, emergency crews continued the fight into the night to prevent the fire from spreading beyond their control and to prevent hot spots from flaring up. These efforts are expected to continue from Thursday night into Friday morning.

Sedgwick County Battalion Chief Lane Pearman said the fire spread to an abandoned building. As of Thursday evening, there were no reports of serious damage or destruction to homes or businesses. There were also no reports of injuries.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation while extinguishing efforts are ongoing.

Update, 5:45 p.m.: An airstrike courtesy of Kansas Forest Service Tanker 95 is helping crews on scene fight a large grass fire that broke out Thursday afternoon near 29th Street North and Greenwich in northeast Wichita. Strong southerly winds pushed the fire north into Sedgwick County.

Multiple departments joined the fight Thursday evening, providing assistance to crews from the Wichita and Sedgwick County fire departments. With the aforementioned air tanker assistance, the Andover Fire Department, a Butler County Fire Department from Benton, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Sedgwick County EMS provided mutual aid to the scene.

There were no reports of injuries, but there was at least one evacuation of homes and businesses, including Sydney’s Pet Resort near 29th and Greenwich.

Wichita firefighters are on the scene of a large grass fire in the area of ​​K-96 and North Greenwich Road. The fire led to the closure of Greenwich on 29th Street.

The wind is pushing the fire north into the county. If you look at the affected area, there is a dark wall of smoke and dust in the air.

As of 5 p.m., Sedgwick County Emergency Services said there were no reports of injuries. It is not known how many households and businesses could be affected and to what extent. At least one business, Sydney’s Pet Resort, was evacuated and asked pet owners to pick up their dogs. In a Facebook post shortly after 4 p.m., the company said it was unable to accept calls.

Meanwhile, the Stryker Sports Complex, near where the fire is believed to have started, remained open Thursday evening. Efforts to contain the fire, which was moving north into Sedgwick County, included assistance from an aerial fire attack from Kansas Forest Service Tanker 95.

Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]