CHEYENNE COUNTY — Crews were busy fighting grass fires Saturday in Cheyenne County that prompted Governor Laura Kelley to issue a verbal disaster declaration.

The first grass fires were reported just after 11:30 a.m., according to Ryan Murry, Cheyenne County Emergency Management Director.

They ultimately had to battle several grass fires across the county. Just after 5 p.m., Murray said the fires were contained. Crews continued to monitor hot spots and the Kansas Forrest Service continued to drop water on those hot spots.

Burn scar from a long-lived fire between St. Francis and Wheeler in Cheyenne county, KS on Saturday November 09, 2019. Burn scar is ~4 miles long and ~2 miles wide. #KSwx #NEwx #COwx pic.twitter.com/5OqRQ2VaDF

— NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) November 9, 2019

There is no word on the number of acres burned. The fires may have started by a semi driving by on the highway with a mechanical issue, according to Murry. The cause of the fires is still under investigation.

@GovLauraKelly issued a verbal disaster declaration for Cheyenne County due to grass fires which were sparked along US-36 by the City of Saint Francis. Local officials have evacuated several homes and residents have been alerted for the potential of evacuation if the need arises. pic.twitter.com/TMeKM04L3p

— KDEM (@KansasEmergency) November 10, 2019