Stubble Fire North of Hoisington 7-1-17
On a nice Saturday afternoon, I was mowing my lawn when I looked north and noticed what looked like a rising column of smoke. By then wind had picked up from the south and I knew if that was a fire, it would spread quickly.
I decided to stop mowing, grab my cameras and head north. I figured I would not need to travel far to find the fire given how large the smoke plume looked. I calculated wrong. Twenty miles later, I found the fire two miles north of the junction of K-4 Highway and US Highway 281.
The event started as an approved controlled burn. When the farmer who called to get the go ahead began to light the stubble, the wind suddenly picked up and took the fire out of control faster than he could keep up.
Fortunately, he contacted a friend who volunteers with the Olmitz Fire Department and he contacted dispatch to call out other departments to aid. Sheriff deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol also responded to help with traffic control as the fire came very close to the roadside of a busy highway.
These men and women worked quickly to put out the flames and the hotspots it left.
People from as far away as Great Bend called in the fire because of the size of the cloud.
In the end the fire burned the entire field and small portions of adjoining fields. The important part, no one was harmed in the fire.
Below are some of the pictures I took:
A smoke plume can be visibly seen over twenty miles away from the fire in Northern Barton County. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Corey Wagner uses a sprayer try and stop the progress of the fire in a wheat stubble field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Two trucks from the Galatia Fire Department arrive on the scene of the fire as a Barton County Sheriff helps with traffic flow on US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A Hoisington Fire Department firefighter sprays water on stubble that had ignited. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter uses a hose dismounted from a truck to extinguish flames in the wheat stubble field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A Hoisington Fire Department firefighter sprays down burning stubble. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter sprays down flames from burning wheat stubble. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A truck from the Hoisington Fire Department travels down a burned out section of the field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Jatim Wagner drags a spray nozzle and hose to try and stop the fire from spreading in the ditch on the side of US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A truck from the Hoisington Fire Department sprays down hotspots near the end of field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A truck from the Hoisington Fire Department sprays down hotspots near the end of field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Firefighters discuss where to attack next as they search for hotspots. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter from the Hoisington Fire Department sprays down a burning part of the ditch alongside US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter with the Hoisington Fire Department stands ready to spray down a hotspot. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter with the Hoisington Fire Department works to put out the fire that had spread to the ditch alongside US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter with the Hoisington Fire Department extinguishes a fire in the ditch alongside US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter with the Hoisington Fire Department works to put out the fire that had spread to the ditch alongside US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A truck with the Hoisington Fire Department pulls out onto US Highway 281 to spray down flames in the ditch. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter with the Hoisington Fire Department aims his hose higher to extinguish some flames. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Multiple trucks work on hotspots on the south side of the stubble field fire. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A vehicle traveling on US Highway 281 passes behind a truck from the Hoisington Fire Department spraying a hot spot in the ditch. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Mike Riese with the Hoisington Fire Department points out a hotspot to a fellow firefighter. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Two fire trucks and a dismounted firefighter battle a hotspot in the field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Trucks from Galatia and Hoisington along with a firefighter work to extinguish a hotspot in the field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Cory Wagner, farmer of the burned field, travels down the hill towards the edge of the property. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A Hoisington firefighter sprays down a hotspot. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A truck moves towards a burning wood pile in the corner of the property. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Multiple fire units converge on a burning wood pile in the corner of the property. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Mike Riese of the Hoisington Fire Department works on unrolling a hose to fight a burning wood pile. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A dismounted firefighter turns his hose on a burning wood pile in the corner of the property. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter works to find and extinguish any burning embers in the wood pile. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Mike Riese of the Hoisington Fire Department and Cory Wagner, farmer of the burning ground, work to unfurl a hose for fellow firefighters. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A range truck from the Olmitz Fire Department prepares to turn into the burning field as officers from the Barton County Sheriff and Kansas Highway Patrol provide traffic control along US Highway 281. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A firefighter uses a crow bar to move over a log while searching for embers and hotspots in a wood pile. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Firefighters gather around a smoldering wood pile looking for burning embers or hotspots. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Firefighters take a quick breather as they plan on how to continue the fight against the fire and hotspots around the field. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A range truck from the Galatia Fire Department goes to look for hotspots along a fence row. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
A Hoisington firefighter uses a hose on a possible hotspot along the fence row. Members of the Olmitz, Hoisington, and Galatia Fire Departments respond to a controlled burn that got out of control two miles north of the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and US Highway 281 near Hoisington, Kansas on July 1, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
