Fires Sparks Evacuations in Kansas Friday

news image
Special Stories
2 Apr 2021 6:29 PM
A wildfire near Interstate 70 in Kansas led to evacuation orders Friday afternoon. The Topeka, Kansas Emergency Management Agency issued a mandatory evacuation for areas between Vera Road to West Union Road from I-70 to the Kansas River. A large wildfire flared up Friday in Shawnee County, KS and spread quickly due to strong southerly winds. Throughout Friday afternoon, Topeka observed sustained winds between 25-35 miles per hour from the south. The wildfire burned just north of Interstate 70 west of Topeka, KS and it could be seen by the nearby Topeka radar. Later on Friday, Maple Hill was "all clear" per the Wabaunsee Emergency Management Agency. This region was under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. CT Friday. Dry conditions, with low relative humidity levels and a gusty wind, provided a high danger Friday. A high fire danger may exist this weekend too. Stay up-to-date with the latest weather forecast and any fire alerts for your area. If fire alerts are issued, avoid sparking a fire because it may spread very quickly under these weather conditions!
All Weather News
More
Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Rapidly Intensifying

Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Rapidly Intensifying

Atlantic BasinBertha has dissipated after mov

27 Jul 2026 10:35 AM
123 Million Under Heat Alerts

123 Million Under Heat Alerts

Are you over the summer heat yet? The heat al

27 Jul 2026 10:00 AM
Fire Weather Continues This Weekend

Fire Weather Continues This Weekend

Conditions have been really dry out west. We'

27 Jul 2026 9:55 AM
Severe Storms Target the Midwest to the Northeast This Week

Severe Storms Target the Midwest to the Northeast This Week

Extreme heat will be a big story this week ac

27 Jul 2026 9:50 AM
Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

A stalled boundary over the Southeast will ke

25 Jul 2026 10:55 AM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Tuesday brought severe weather again across p

23 Jul 2026 1:15 AM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper-level low train continues to keep t

21 Jul 2026 1:45 AM