City of Hays Issues Statement on Prescribed Burn in Edwards County

HAYS, Kan. — The City of Hays on Friday released a statement addressing a prescribed burn conducted April 15 on city-owned property in Edwards County, where a separate fire was detected the following afternoon and has since grown to roughly 1,000 acres.

The blaze, now being called the Arkansas River Fire, was first reported around 4:26 p.m. Thursday near Kinsley, south of U.S. Highway 50 and west of U.S. Highway 183. Crews from Edwards, Ford, Pawnee and Kiowa counties responded, with aviation support from the Kansas Forest Service.

By 9 p.m. Thursday, the Kansas Forest Service said forward progress of the fire had been stopped, though it remained active in heavy fuels within the river bottom. Containment efforts continued Friday morning. No buildings or livestock have been lost, and no injuries have been reported.

The full statement from the City of Hays, issued by Public Relations Manager James Bell, reads:

"On Wednesday, April 15, a prescribed burn was conducted on city-owned property in Edwards County. Preparation and execution of the burn followed all proper protocols, and the burn was approved by the local Fire Chief. The prescribed burn was conducted as planned without issue. Staff monitored the area throughout the day Wednesday and Thursday to ensure any hot spots were addressed. Sometime in the late afternoon Thursday a fire was detected in the Arkansas River bottom area adjacent to the property. The cause of ignition for that fire has not been determined, and an investigation is underway. There will be no further comment on the matter until the investigation has been completed."

The City of Hays owns property in Edwards County, including the R9 Ranch, which the city has developed as a long-term water source. The cause of the Arkansas River Fire remains under investigation.

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