UPDATE: (AP) – Fire officials say a blaze that has been burning thousands of hay bales in southwest Kansas should be extinguished this week.

Stevens County Fire Chief Darroll Munson said firefighters made good progress over the weekend in containing a blaze that started May 28 on the northern edge of Moscow.

Munson said equipment was brought in on Sunday to begin tearing down the hay bales, and he believes the fire should be out sometime this week.

Munson said that many of the homes in Moscow have suffered smoke damage but no homes were lost and no injuries were reported.

A preliminary report indicated that the fire was caused by lightning but Munson said Monday those reports haven’t been confirmed and an investigation continues.

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Update Thursday 7:30 a.m. Residents in the area near the Stevens County Community of Moscow are being given the option to evacuate Thursday as the large grass fire continues to burn.

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(AP) — A large grass fire in southwest Kansas has spread to thousands of bales of corn stalks stored at a facility in the Stevens County town of Moscow.

The fire broke out late Tuesday and involved about 50,000 corn stalk bales by Wednesday.

Moscow Mayor Billy Bell told KAKE TV that a bioenergy company had planned to use the stalks to produce ethanol.

Bell says firefighters have contained the blaze, which investigators believe was intentionally set.

The mayor also says no injuries have been reported and no structures were in danger, but residents have been told to prepare to evacuate if the wind changes direction.

Local farmers also have their irrigation systems on standby to help out if necessary.

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