KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A large wildfire fueled by high winds that has swept across two northeast Kansas counties is forcing residents out of their homes.
The fire may have started Wednesday afternoon in Shawnee County and moved into Jackson County, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.
Morse said the fire was contained about 6:30 p.m.
Smoke is on our radar! Here is a look at radar with smoke from a large grassfire southwest of Topeka. The wind has been gusting to over 50 mph. We have details on @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/R3tRrtDtNq
— Gary Lezak (@glezak) November 18, 2020
Morse said his office received a call for mutual aid around 1 p.m. Wednesday from Shawnee County authorities.
It's estimated the fire was 2.5 miles wide and fire departments across the two counties have battled the blaze, which is also causing heavy smoke in the area.
There is a grass fire SW of JACO that is causing heavy smoke across our county agencies are working to get it under control
— Sheriff Tim Morse (@sheriffmorse) November 18, 2020
Authorities ordered the evacuation some rural residences in the fire's path and of the small town of Delia in Shawnee County, Morse said. It's a town of fewer than 200 people just north of St. Mary's, Kansas.
Morse said his deputies went door-to-door to tell people to leave.
The fire is "threatening a structure at 102nd east of C Road," according to Morse.
Fire crews from 3 counties battled the fire, with help from farmers who used their equipment to build firebreaks.
