Kansas ForestService

🔥 Tanker 801assisted with a wildfire in Republic County near the Jewel County line. Tanker 801 made one drop in Republic County and assisted the ground resources with suppression efforts. All KFS resources, including aviation, have been released from Republic Co. #FireSeason2026

🔥 Kansas Forest Service continues to assist Marshall County with a fire that is established in the Black Vermillion drainage southwest of Frankfort. The heavy, dead, and downed flood debris is hampering firefighters from obtaining full containment without additional equipment.

🔥 T801 and DFMO Reed assisted Russell Co. with a large fire south of Wilson Lake. T801 made two water drops before being released. KFS resources and the Dickinson County Task Force are also assisting in Clay County, where forward progress on two fires has been stopped.

KS landowners are taking advantage of mild days to reduce vegetation, and prescribed fire is an important land management tool. 2026 vegetation conditions will make burning more difficult than usual. Take time to burn safely and protect your neighbors and local firefighters.

One year ago, Jaryn Adamek joined our team as a rural district forester! Covering 10 counties in southeast KS, Jaryn helps landowners meet the goals of their woodlands from addressing forest health concerns to improving wildlife habitat and timber value. Congrats, Jaryn!🎉

Whether he's collecting seed, in a stream, talking about soil, walnut dancing, or just squirreling around, Andy Klein is best captured in his element. Happy 10-year work-iversary to the best Water Quality Forester around, Andy Klein!🥳

It’s not often we get to turn the spotlight around on the person who’s usually behind the camera, behind the keyboard, and behind the message, but today we’re doing just that! Help us celebrate Ariel, our incredible Communication Specialist, on Government Communicators Day!

🔥 Recovery and readiness happening simultaneously is a reality in KS fire season. Be ready by signing up for your local text notification system. Prepare your home and property for a wildfire.www.kansasforest.org ️Have a wildfire plan: buff.ly/7awyExs #kswildfire

🔥Ranger Road Wildfire Update 🔥 Oklahoma Forestry Services has released the Ranger Road perimeter map. The acres will continue to change as the fire progresses. Currently, the acres are 283,283. Kansas continues to coordinate resources and information with Oklahoma.

There is also significant fire activity in Rawlins County. Check the Rawlins County Sheriff's Office for additional information regarding that fire and evacuations. For all fires, please obey any messages to leave and keep out of the area to allow emergency vehicles to work.

With winds out of the southwest, the fire moved from Oklahoma to Englewood, then to Ashland. Winds have now shifted straight west, which will affect the fire's trajectory.

🔥Wildfire Update The Ranger Road Fire, in Beaver County, Oklahoma, crossed into Kansas this afternoon. The Johnson County Task Force is engaged in Ashland, Kansas, and Assistant Fire Management Officer Dennis Carlson is engaged in Englewood, Kansas.

🔥 Fire Weather Alert🔥 Weather conditions are deteriorating earlier than expected across western Kansas. Humidity levels are dropping, winds are increasing, and fire danger will escalate from Very High to Extreme as these conditions continue. #kswildfire #FireSeason2026

Wildfire Weather Update with Chip Redmond Fuels in KS are drying quickly with warm temps and strong wind and vegetation will become more receptive to fire. We are transitioning into the typical spring fire season pattern — when fires can start easily and spread quickly.

🔥 Wildfire Weather Update 🔥 Vegetation across Kansas is drying out fast, and these warm, dry days create perfect conditions for fires to start and spread quickly. Even one small spark from equipment, debris burning, or vehicles can turn into a fast-moving wildfire. #kswildfire

🔥As the snow melts across Kansas, it won’t be long before vegetation dries out and becomes burnable. Now is the time to check old burn piles—stir them up and make sure they are completely cold. A windy day is all it takes for hidden embers to spark a wildfire. #kswildfire

📣 📣 📣 Attention folks in the Stockton area! Don't miss this free tree and shrub pruning workshop with Northwest District Forester Chelsea Hanson! 🌳 February 18th 🍂 6 pm 🌲 Stockton Public Library 🍁 No registration required

In this episode of the Kansas Canopy Podcast, Thad guides us through the what, how, and why of timber stand improvement projects, sharing his perspective on how forestry objectives have evolved over the last 20 years. 🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/HYTg7xP

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Kansas Forest Service State Office will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026.

🔥 Today brought windy, dry conditions across Kansas. Huge thanks to firefighters for keeping fires small, and to everyone who stayed alert and helped prevent new starts. Tomorrow will be similar. Please stay aware of outdoor activities and do your part to keep Kansas safe.