VIDEO/PHOTOS: One of the several grass fires burning in southwest Kansas caused an evacuation that has since been lifted for Meade. Meade County Sheriff Douglas Ritter said numerous fire crews from across Kansas and Oklahoma fought the fire south of town early Friday. Crews finally stopped its progress around 3 a.m.
There were no injuries. The Kansas Department of Transportation said Kansas Highway 23 between the Oklahoma state line and U.S. Highway 54 remains closed due to smoky conditions.
Meade State Park said the lake is inaccessible because of the closure. Just north of Ashland in Clark County, the fire department said a fire is still burning north of town.
Ford County Fire and EMS said crews have been fighting fires since 3 p.m. Thursday due to multiple lightning strikes in Clark, Meade and Kiowa counties. Strong winds and difficult terrain hampered suppression efforts.
Stevens County Emergency Services said crews continued to monitor up hot spots southwest of Hugoton. They said the fire is contained and that there is no threat to town.
