Fire At I70 & Carlson

From the Capital-Journal:

An out of control brush fire has shut down traffic as of 3:30 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 70 at Carlson Road, according to Kimberly Qualls with Kansas Department of Transportation.

Fire Chief Dirk Christian, of Shawnee County Fire District 4, said the fire was reported at 11:45 a.m. near Maple Hill.

High winds, clocked at 30 mph according to Christian, caused the “pretty significant fire” to spread.

The fire came “right up to the highway,” he said. Crews worked to protect nearby structures and no damage was reported to any structures.

The blaze is believed to have been started after a fire at Stallion and Creek Road yesterday was rekindled.

A number of fire and emergency response agencies were on scene from Shawnee, Wabaunsee and Jefferson counties. Christian said 15 fire departments had responded with more than 100 firefighters battling the blaze throughout Sunday.

As of 5:35 p.m., the fire had been contained and crews were working to extinguish small spots still on fire and flare ups, Christian said.

Carlson Road is near the Wabaunsee and Shawnee County border. Wabaunsee County is under a wind advisory while Shawnee County is under a red flag warning, according to the National Weather Service. Christian said a burn ban for the Dover area, in effect until noon on Monday, is likely to be extended.