By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Firefighters from all across the state, including Ellis County, responded to the call for help to fight last month’s Anderson Creek Fire that burned more than 230,000 acres in Barber County.

According to a report from the Kansas Forest Service, firefighters from every corner of the state were among the more than 184 organizations that responded to help fight the blaze in Barber and Comanche counties.

Ellis County Rural Fire Director Darin Myers said two crews of 10 firefighters from Ellis County went to help fight the fire. The firefighters were from Hays, Ellis, Victoria and Catharine. They worked 12-hour operational periods.

Myers said it was a good opportunity for those who went to help fight the fire learn the science behind fighting a much larger fire.

“Instead of always just trying to put the fire out, you have to pay attention to wind directions and then back burning,” Myers said “That way when you look at the projections for winds speeds the next day, you try to let it burn in certain locations so then it will burn back into itself and burn itself out.”

The terrain was another unique experience for the Ellis County crews. Myers said that area of the state is somewhat similar to the northern part of Ellis County. It is a region that has a lot more hills, making it more difficult to cover the area. He said often times they would have to travel 5 miles to get to their destination just a mile away.

The group also applauded the fire official’s efforts in Barber County. Myers said they had cots set up for the firefighters in the gym and brought in food services set up for volunteers.

In Hays, Dillons donated six cases of water for the firefighters to take with them, he added.

The Forest Service said the blaze started March 22 in Woods County, Okla., and spread into Barber and Comanche counties in Kansas burn more than 230,000 acres in Barber County.