Update on Wildfires in Ford and Seward Counties

Dodge City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) Ford County and Dodge City Fire & EMS, law enforcement and other first responders are working to contain fires in Spearville, Bucklin and just southeast of Dodge City. There is also a fire that may be moving north towards Bloom from Clark County.

As a shelter, the Dodge City Community College Student Activities Center will close at 5pm on Tuesday afternoon.

County Administrator J.D. Gilbert has sent a release saying the Ford County Commission has issued a local disaster declaration meaning local agencies can now apply for funding reimbursement for everything related to their disaster response. 

The following areas have been evacuated:
Green Acres
Wilroads Gardens
110 Spring & Marshall
HWY 56 near Dodge City Raceway Park
S. 113 & 56
Fort Dodge 

Road Closures:
2nd & McArtor
McArtor & Minneola
Trail & South Bypass
HWY 56 & Lariat (Now open)
HWY 50 is closed to westbound traffic from 128 Road.

There has been one reported injury related to a residential structure fire and the extent of injury is unclear at this time.  Fire/EMS personnel have been battling exhaustion.

County officials also warn residents of health related conditions being aggravated by constant exposure to smoke.  If this should occur, you are instructed to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Seward County authorities received a call of a Monday grass fire at the intersection of highways 83 and 51.  No injuries were reported, but 18 people were displaced as the blaze destroyed four homes, three of them occupied.  Two semi tractors and 31 power poles were also destroyed. 

Seward County’s shelter remains open at the Student Activities Center for those who need a place to stay from the recent fires.