Governor Kelly declares emergency relief for wildfire response
Executive order waives regulations for truckers assisting impacted communities
TOPEKA, Kan. — As dry conditions and high winds continue to threaten western and central Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 26-0 to expedite emergency assistance for wildfire relief.
The order waives certain licensing and hours-of-service requirements for commercial motor vehicle carriers and drivers actively assisting with wildfire relief efforts.
"As Kansas communities work to contain wildfires and recover from their impact, we must remove any barriers that hinder our emergency response," Kelly said.
The move allows utility trucks, heavy equipment haulers and supply vehicles to bypass standard regulations to reach affected areas more quickly.
The executive action comes as the state endures a volatile fire season. The waiver is effective immediately and is designed to remain in place through the duration of the emergency response phase.