RICE COUNTY – UPDATE (3/15 at 8 p.m.): The Governor of Kansas was on the scene of the fires this evening. Governor Jeff Colyer made a stop as part of a tour of fires across the state.

The four Black Hawk helicopters were able to slow the fires that have been burning in Rice County since mid day Wednesday. Air drops began again Thursday morning after crews worked to hold their ground on the fires overnight. Rice County Emergency Management Director Greg Klein gives an update.

 

 

No other damage reports have come in, other than the one unoccupied house and out buildings that were reported this morning. Rice County Emergency Management says roads in the area of Plum from Avenue Q to Avenue V and Avenue Q between Plum and 22nd, the road going north out of Nickerson, are still closed. Klein says the fire has burned between 7,000 and 8,000 acres 8,000.

The major concern now is the changing winds that are in the forecast for Friday. Winds will turn to the west and increase up to 40 mph by mid day.