December 15 Kansas wildfire outbreak
Perimeters of the wildfires that started on December 15, 2021
LocationWestern and Central portions of Kansas
Statistics
Total fires16[1]
Total area163,755 acres (66,269 ha)[2][nb 1]
Cost$2.3 million (2021 USD)
Date(s)December 15, 2021 (2021-12-15) – December 23, 2021 (2021-12-23)
Cause
Buildings destroyed42+
Deaths2
Non-fatal injuries3 hospitalized[3]

On December 15, 2021, the Midwestern U.S. state of Kansas was met with strong and damaging winds caused by the December 2021 Midwest derecho and tornado outbreak, which produced dust storms and multiple wildfires. An estimated 163,000 acres (66,000 ha) burned on the first day wildfires spawned due to dry fuel and strong wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph (160 km/h). The western and central portions of Kansas were mostly affected by the fires. Before December 15, forecasters had predicted that dry air, gusty winds, and warm temperatures could be present throughout the following days, creating conditions favorable for wildfires to spread quickly through the area. The largest wildfire, the Four County Fire, burned numerous buildings and killed hundreds of cattle along the way with a scorched area of 121,622 acres (49,219 ha).

Due to gusty winds that were in attendance in the area, the toppling of power lines started to take place, sparking a few wildfires. Drought conditions also played a role in the wildfire outbreak, in which the western and central portions of Kansas were "Abnormally Dry" and in "Severe Drought". The drought and wildfires significantly impacted Kansas agricultural operations by not being able to produce livestock.

Background

The Kansas wildfire season usually begins and progresses through the spring. But unusual drought conditions started to emerge in Western Kansas; the drought eventually advanced into parts of Central Kansas in the autumn as a result of no recorded rainfall since November 3, 2021.[4] Due to drought in the region, farmers were unable to grow crops such as wheat.[5]

Before December 15, the Wichita, Kansas National Weather Service had warned citizens in Kansas to be cautious about an upcoming windstorm that could produce winds up to 100 mph (160 km/h), and the storm could eventually spawn wildfires and fling debris.[6][7] The weather forecast showed relative humidity on Wednesday, December 15, being at 10 to 15 percent. The forecast also showed winds being at their strongest peak in the afternoon on December 15.[7] The National Weather Service had recommended residents of Western and Central Kansas to stay inside their homes due to a high risk of blowing dust.[8][9]

Wildfire outbreak

After the windstorm had passed over Kansas, more than 10 wildfires were present in the western and central portions of the state, which burned more than 163,000 acres (66,000 ha) on the first day they were first reported.[10] At the time, wind gusts reached up to 100 mph (160 km/h) as expected. Two major grass fires were being monitored until both of them had merged into one large wildfire, being named the Four County Fire. By 3:06 a.m. (CST) on Thursday, December 16, the Four County Fire had reached a burned area of approximately 96,000 acres (39,000 ha) and satellites had detected heat from the wildfire seven miles away near Russell, Kansas.[11] Due to the wildfires and strong winds, 24 out of the 105 counties in Kansas issued local disaster declarations. Most of the wildfires ravaged the counties of Ellis, Osborne, Rooks, and Russell.[12] In Russell County, wildfires prompted evacuations of 500 to 600 residents for the areas of Waldo, Paradise, and Fairport.[13][14] Wildfires burned and destroyed multiple homes and businesses in their path, mainly in the city of Paradise.[15] Many families in Paradise lost their homes, ranches, and cattle due to the wind-driven wildfires.[16]

To assist firefighters in battling the raging wildfires, on December 16,[17] the Kansas National Guard mobilized UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to help firefighters get a hold of the fires burning in Western and Central Kansas. No other firefighting aircraft was able to take to the air in the area where wildfires were nearby because of winds reaching up to 80 mph (130 km/h).[18] Earlier on the evening of December 15, while firefighters were trying to get the fast-moving fires under control, smoke from the Four County Fire had traveled for miles, and smoke was eventually seen from Lincoln, Nebraska.[19] Later that day, on December 16, aircraft were ultimately able to fly over wildfire-ravaged areas because of wind speeds having to decrease. On December 17, several wildfires were still burning, but not as intensely as they were on December 15. Winds for the city of Russell on December 17 decreased to 8 to 14 miles per hour (13 to 23 km/h). Throughout the following days, relative humidity had dropped into the mid-20s, which made efforts for firefighters to put out the blazes difficult.[18]

Two days later, on December 17, the North Wichita Fire was fully contained, with a burned area of 7,572 acres (3,064 ha). The wildfire destroyed five structures and cost approximately $46,000 (2021 USD). Another but smaller wildfire, the Wichita County Fire, was contained a day later on December 18 with a burned area of 782 acres (316 ha). The wildfire also destroyed five structures and cost approximately $25,000. On December 23, the largest wildfire, the Four County Fire, was fully contained and had scorched an area of 121,622 acres (49,219 ha) and destroyed 32 structures. The cost of the wildfire is still unknown.[20]

Fatalities

A total of two fatalities were confirmed of an 84-year-old rancher who lived near the city of Leoti, Kansas, and of a 36-year-old man whose remains were found near his vehicle, which was also burned. Both men were killed due to sustained burn injuries caused by the wildfires. The 84-year-old man named Richard Shimanek was badly injured in the wildfires while trying to save his home. He was later taken to a hospital in Denver, Colorado, where he later died due to his injuries. The second fatality, a 36-year-old man named Derrick Kelley, who was first reported missing by his fiancée on Wednesday, December 15, during the wildfire outbreak. Derrick Kelley was reportedly last seen in Hays, Kansas, on December 15, soon before his fiancée reported him missing. On the morning of December 17, his body was found next to his burnt vehicle.[16][21]

Cause

Dry grassland due to abnormally dry and severe drought conditions in Western and Central Kansas helped the December 15 wildfires to spread quickly into nearby cities and towns, destroying numerous structures.[22][23] High winds also contributed to the development of the wildfires. In some cases, the wind toppled power lines, sparking new major fires. At the time, warm temperatures and low humidity were also present, making conditions even more favorable for the fires burning near the cities of Paradise and Waldo.[24][9]

Aftermath

The wildfire outbreak resulted in a burned area of more than 163,000 acres (66,000 ha) in portions of Western and Central Kansas, leaving the deaths of two individuals and injured three more civilians.[25][3] Mainly in the cities of Paradise and Waldo,[26] more than 42 structures were destroyed.[20] The windstorm and wildfires caused more than $2.3 million (2021 USD) worth of damage. The wildfire outbreak also had an impact on Kansas agricultural operations and also had an impact on the company, Midwest Energy. Approximately 700 power poles belonging to Midwest Energy were toppled during the wind and wildfire event. Because of the drought and wildfires, the production of livestock and crops grew slim due to an impact on Kansas agricultural operations. Disaster assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Kansas ranchers and farmers who were mostly affected by the disaster. Producers who lost livestock such as cattle were entitled to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).[27][28][20]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ It was first estimated by the Kansas Forest Service that more than 400,000 acres (160,000 ha) burned on December 15, but with the help of the National Interagency Fire Center, the acreage burned was revised down to 163,000 acres (66,000 ha).

References

  1. ↑ "'It was burning so fast': It may take years for Kansans to recover from Four County Fire". The Topeka Capital-Journal. David Condos. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "Kansas Forest Service revises acreage burned in last week's wildfires". KSNW. The Associated Press, Ryan Newton. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Wildfires fueled by high wind destroy homes, kill cattle in Kansas". KSNW. Stephanie Nutt, Ryan Newton, Laura McMillan. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  4. ↑ "Long road to recovery for Kansas ranchers after wildfires". The Kansas City Star. The Associated Press. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Drought concerns grow in central, western Kansas". KWCH-DT. Joe Baker. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "Strong winds and flying dust: 'Stay home, be safe,' Kansas trooper says". The Wichita Eagle. Michael Stavola. Retrieved 29 December 2021. (registration required)
  7. 1 2 "National Weather Service issues high fire danger, dust warnings in Kansas for Wednesday". The Hutchinson News. John Green. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "Windstorm recap: Over 100,000 remain without power in Kansas, recovery expected to take days". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  9. 1 2 "The winds in Kansas whipped up wildfires and dust storms". The New York Times. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "Kansas community previously devastated by fires helps out those currently struggling". KSNW. Jessica Watson. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "Very strong winds spread fires in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas". wildfiretoday.com. Bill Gabbert. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  12. ↑ "Lawmakers to seek federal, state relief for residents slammed by western Kansas wildfires". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Andrew Bahl. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "Hurricane-Force Winds Spark Wildfires in Kansas, Destroying Homes and Killing Cattle". agweb.com. Greg Hend. 29 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "'Catastrophic': Western Kansas wildfires burn through Friday leaving miles of devastation". The Kansas City Star. Hurubie Meko. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  15. ↑ "'Ball of rolling fire and smoke': Wildfires rip through north-central Kansas". kansasreflector.com. Allison Kite. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  16. 1 2 "2 dead in Kansas wildfires fueled by windy, dry weather". ABC News. Margaret Stafford. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  17. ↑ "Kansas National Guard deploys to help fight wildfires in western, central Kansas". WIBW-TV. Sarah Motter. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Kansas National Guard deploys Blackhawk helicopters to aid firefighters during wildfire siege". wildfiretoday.com. Bill Gabbert. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "Smoke in Lincoln coming from Kansas wildfire". 1011now.com. 10/11 NOW. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  20. 1 2 3 "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. p. 27, p. 28, p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  21. ↑ "Kansas man found dead after he went missing during dangerous weather, wildfires". KAKE (TV). Kake News. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  22. ↑ "Kansas Drought Monitor". Brad Pugh, NOAA/CPC. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  23. ↑ "Kelly surveys portion of property in Kansas torched by December wildfires". kansasreflector.com. Tim Carpenter. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "Kansas National Guard deploys helicopters to wildfires burning in Kansas". kansasreflector.com. Allison Kite. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  25. ↑ "Long road to recovery for Kansas ranchers after wildfires". WIBW-TV. Associated Press. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  26. ↑ "Estimated 350,000 acres continue to burn in central Kansas". The Hutchinson News. Olivia Perkins. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  27. ↑ "Kansas community previously devastated by fires helps out those currently struggling". KSNW. Jessica Watson. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  28. ↑ "USDA offers disaster assistance to Kansas farmers and livestock producers impacted by wildfires and drought". hiawathaworldonline.com. Hiawatha World. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
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