Brownback Issues Fire Emergency

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Governor Sam Brownback has issued an emergency declaration for nine counties of central and north-central Kansas, citing the risk of wildfires.

Counties covered by the declaration issued Wednesday evening are Barton, Ellis, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Phillips, Rooks and Russell.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management says a large grass fire in Phillips County was contained Wednesday evening, as were fires in Rooks and Ellis counties. Other fires were contained earlier Wednesday in Russell County, and near Great Bend in Barton County.

Some of the counties covered by the declaration were included because they may be in the path of spreading fires.

Emergency Management spokeswoman Sharon Watson says there were no reports of evacuations or injuries or of houses being damaged, although some farm buildings and outbuildings have been affected.

KANSAS FIRES

Wildfires in NW Kansas reported extinguished

(Information in the following story is from: The Hays Daily News, http://www.hdnews.net)

OBERLIN, Kan. (AP) – State emergency officials say crews have succeeded in extinguishing wildfires that burned hundreds of acres in northwest Kansas. The whole region has been sweltering under triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions.

Fire departments from neighboring Colorado and Nebraska were called in Tuesday to help fight at least two wildfires outside Oberlin, located in far northwest Kansas along the Nebraska state line. Temperatures in the area were forecast to be 113 yesterday with daytime highs staying in triple digits through the rest of the week. No major damage or injuries were reported from the fires.

COLORADO-WILDFIRES

Airlines waiving fees for itinerary changes due to Colo. fires

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) – Frontier Airlines and United Airlines are relaxing fees for changing itineraries, if travelers are affected by the wildfire near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Frontier says travelers who were scheduled to go through Colorado Springs through July 4th may be eligible to have fees for changing their plans waived. United says travelers going through Colorado Springs through July 2nd may be eligible.

Colorado Springs Airport officials say American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are encouraging travelers to call them if they want to ask about changing travel plans.

Photographs taken Wednesday afternoon showed smoke and flames not far from the U.S. Air Force Academy campus at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Black smoke also enveloped many highways and thoroughfares, slowing traffic.