Dodge City, KS – Fires could spread out of control within minutes Thursday afternoon as strong winds and extremely dry air combine across southwest Kansas.
According to the National Weather Service in Dodge City, a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch are in effect from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. Thursday. Northwest winds will increase behind a cold front, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph while humidity drops as low as 15 percent.
The highest risk zone includes areas near Liberal, Elkhart, Syracuse, and Garden City, where any spark could quickly ignite fast-moving grassfires. Dodge City and surrounding communities will also face elevated conditions, especially during the peak heating hours between 2 and 7 p.m.
Open burning is strongly discouraged, and activities that could create sparks, including equipment use or dragging chains, should be avoided. Fire crews warn that response times may be challenged if multiple fires ignite simultaneously under these conditions.
Travelers along U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 83 should remain alert for reduced visibility if smoke develops and rapidly shifts with wind gusts.
Conditions improve after sunset Thursday, but fire danger could return if dry and windy patterns persist into the weekend.
