By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A fire Monday night in southern Rooks County burned 20 to 25 acres of grassland, according to Rooks County Emergency Management Coordinator Butch Post.

Post said authorities received a report of a pasture fire at around 9:30 p.m. less than a mile from the Rooks/Ellis County line.

Crews from Rooks and Ellis counties, Waldo/Paradise and Natoma all responded to help fight the fire. In all, 30 firefighters and 15 vehicles helped to extinguish the blaze. According to Post, crews were able to leave the scene by midnight. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Post added Rooks County has had five fires since Sunday, and all of them have been grass fires. No structures were involved. At this time, he said nothing suspicious has been linked to the fires, but they remain under investigation. Ellis County officials continue to investigate a string of March arsons.

Despite the recent rains, Post said that all outdoor burning is still banned under a burn ban put in place earlier this year in Rooks County.