More than 800 acres were scorched in a wildfire in northern Riley County Friday afternoon
The fire, first reported around 2 p.m. forced a temporary closure of Blue River Hills Road, west of Tuttle Creek Lake. In addition to local volunteer firefighters, two 600-gallon Kansas Forest Service contracted tankers were brought in to assist along with aircraft called in to fight the fire from above. Fire units from Waterville and Fort Riley were also called in to help.
Riley County PIO Alice Massimi said some structures in the path of the blaze had been threatened but no damage was reported. Riley County Police reported at least one home had to be evacuated, but residents were allowed to return to their homes by late in the evening.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
