RENO COUNTY — Just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Hutchinson Fire crews were dispatched to a grass fire in the 400 block of South Obee Road for a fire along the railroad tracks. First arriving units found a fire that had extended into the property of Excelsior, a business that uses straw. The fire engulfed several piles of straw. Additional units found multiple fires along, and south of, Avenue G, extending east to Brandy Lake Road. A total of 10 fires were found.

The largest moving fire was on the far east side. The fire jumped Avenue G when units arrived. With the assistance of Buhler, Burrton, and District 9 fire units, the fire was stopped before it reached homes off 4th Avenue and in the McKenzie Addition.

The fire between Mayfield and Kent roads was threatening a pen of horses. A fire unit was positioned there for protection.

All fires were brought under control in about an hour. Units remained at the respective locations until 8:00 p.m. — with the exception of the Obee Road fire. Straw piles continue to burn and will for several days. The piles will produce large amounts of smoke that will be noticed for miles, according to Hutchinson fire officials.

Officials say the piles are large. Even a large amount of water would not extinguish these particular straw piles.