Harvey County was declared as a drought emergency with Sedgwick and Reno counties under a recent proclamation made by Governor Laura Kelly. “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” Parts of Harvey County, have been susceptible to wildfires in the past, especially the Sand Hills area near Burrton. In November of 2020, 5,000 acres burned near Burrton. In March 2022, 820 acres burned as part of a larger fire in Reno County that claimed 12,000 acres. Another fire in 2016 burned 1,200 acres northwest of Burrton. One in 2006 burned 8,800 acres. The release stated the declaration was recommended by Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. “Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months,” the release stated. “Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.”
Source: Harvey County Now
