Montgomery County residents urged to use caution during conditions of high fire risk.

 

Last weekend's rain did little to improve the dry conditions across the state, though southeast Kansas is in a slightly better position than the rest of Kansas. Governor Kelly has issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation due to the extended period of dangerous fire weather through Thursday. In Montgomery County, Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson has consulted with Rural Fire Chief Michael Smith about the situation. Whitson says there is a local risk of fire, but it does not yet warrant a county-wide burn ban.

 

Whitson adds that, even though there is no current burn ban, residents should be very careful when it comes to fire.

 

Both state and local authorities urge the public to avoid activities that could spark a fire and to immediately report any visible smoke or fire.