Although some forecasts call for increased wildfires this summer, Marion County fire departments won’t change how they prepare.
Neighboring Chase and Butler Counties are among the Kansas counties most prone to wildfires.
If it has an effect, will be that more emphasis is placed on tactics and preparation, said.
“We might ramp up some of our wildland training, discuss some different things with tactics and strategy,” Lincolnville fire chief Les Kaiser said. “We also re-evaluate our trucks in case we need to make any changes in them.”
But a big challenge, Peabody fire chief Mark Penner said, is maintaining enough volunteers.
“It’s get harder and harder,” he said. “It’s not just us with small fire departments. People just don’t volunteer like they used to. It’s a bit tougher to get people to come and join, but for the most part we have a steady group of guys.”
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)