Gov. Sam Brownback has declared a State of Disaster Emergency for an area of south central Kansas threatened by major wildfires. The declaration authorizes state resources to assist communities affected by the fires, according to a media release.
A wildfire that began in Oklahoma March 22 and spread into Kansas overnight continues to burn in Barber and Comanche counties. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is continuing to monitor the situation and is working with local, state and federal agencies.

The Kansas Forest Service and Kansas Division of Emergency Management have personnel on the scene providing technical and tactical operation assistance to Barber and Comanche Counties. US-160 is closed between Coldwater and Medicine Lodge and US 281 is closed between Medicine Lodge and the Oklahoma border. The Kansas Highway Patrol is providing access control to limit non-response vehicles into the area.

As of Wednesday evening, local officials reported a level of containment in Comanche County, but no level of containment in Barber County. At that time, the trajectory of the fire threatened the north edge of Medicine Lodge.
Two American Red Cross shelters have been established to support Barber County, should they be needed. One shelter has been established in Chaparral High School in Harper County and the second shelter has been established in Pratt.
Wind speeds have been sustained from the south at 43 mph with gusts 58/59 mph. The National Weather Service says winds will switch to the northwest with sustained speeds above 30 mph through midnight.