Riley County fire crews worked through much of the day Wednesday containing grass fires near Leonardville, thanks to strong southerly winds that gusted over 50 mph at times.
The first call came in around 11:15 a.m. near Lasita Road and Kansas Highway 82. Riley County Police and area fire crews evacuated some residents in a rural area southwest of Leonardville as a result, but they were eventually able to return to their homes. There were no reports of any structural damage.
A short time later, another fire was reported further north near May Day and Wohler Roads. That fire burned several hundred acres.
The National Weather Service recorded a 52 mph wind gust in Manhattan and a 51 mph gust at Fort Riley Wednesday.
