Volunteer firefighters stayed busy over the weekend as dry and windy conditions led to several grass fires in Riley County.
At least three separate fires were brought under control Saturday, according to county fire officials. The first was observed along Wildcat Creek Road, a second along a 50-acre patch north of Tuttle Creek Lake and a third along Daniels Drive, south of Zeandale. The 50-acre fire threatened one home and two outbuildings that were saved. Backburns were performed to eliminate additional fuel sources. The Daniels Drive blaze was a rekindled fire that spread onto a neighbor’s property.
Record heat and low humidity were factors for the increased fuel loads Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, Manhattan set a new record high at 96 degrees, eclipsing the previous record of 91 set on March 21, 1918.
