by Kari Blurton
Hays Post

Smoke can be seen North of Hays as Ellis County Rural Fire Director Dick Klaus, reports fire crews have been called to what is –  at least  – the third fire Saturday evening at around 7:30 pm.

Crews are already working on two fires.

The first two fires were apparently both started by “carelessness” and fueled by high winds, Klaus said.

The first fire was called in around 6:30 p.m. near West 200th and Golf Course Road.

Klaus said the fire was allegedly started by someone who “dumped barrels full of burnt trash that sill had hot embers in them,” burning about 80 acres of grass.

The second fire occurred south of Hays. Klaus said the fire apparently began with someone starting a “controlled burn.”

Klaus said high winds quickly caused the fire to spread. He said the person tried to control the fire with garden hose and, by the time fire crews were called, “it was too late and it blew out of the ring,” burning 20 acres.

Klaus said he plans to talk with city commissioners about banning controlled burns Monday.

“It is just too dry out there,” he said.

Hay Post will have more details as they become available.

Crews from 5,6,2,4,8 and 9 are working the fires.