The Wildfires thread

[kphoger]

Yesterday evening, the smoke from wildfires in southwestern Kansas was bad enough that I could feel ash getting in my eyes a I walked across parking lots here in Wichita.  As of 5pm yesterday, our good friend's parents, who live on a farm south of Meade, were anticipating an evacuation order;  I don't know yet if it ever came.  By that point, Ashland and Englewood had already been evacuated.

[kphoger]

Yesterday evening, the smoke from wildfires in southwestern Kansas was bad enough that I could feel ash getting in my eyes a I walked across parking lots here in Wichita.  As of 5pm yesterday, our good friend's parents, who live on a farm south of Meade, were anticipating an evacuation order;  I don't know yet if it ever came.  By that point, Ashland and Englewood had already been evacuated.

I heard from my friend yesterday evening:

I finally got in touch with Ivan, my father-in-law.  It came within 12 miles of their farmstead but they are fine and it seems to be contained at this point.  A lot of other communities in the area weren't so fortunate.

He explained that this time of year is tough.  Dry and windy.  Combine with all the rain last summer, grass was big and ready to burn.  In the Meade area, there is more winter wheat and less grass.

So apparently there was a gas plant having a burn-off down by Beaver OK and they weren't managing it well and it got out of control and so that's where it started.

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https://rivercountry.newschannelnebraska.com/story/205430189/pillen-declares-emergency-mobilizes-national-guard-as-wildfires-burn-across-nebraska
Wildfires reported in Nebraska. 

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https://apnews.com/article/southern-california-springs-wildfire-perris-aff44411b359df6855b3e8f82e4a41c8

Here is the current wildfire reports from Riverside County, California.

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2026/04/03/fast-moving-brush-fire-burns-3500-acres-in-moreno-valley/

Moreno Valley is affected by this.

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https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/wildfires/2026/04/04/spring-fire-near-moreno-valley-evacuations-size-road-closures-containment-saturday-update/89465649007/


https://kesq.com/news/2026/04/03/springs-fire-burns-more-than-4000-acres-in-moreno-valley-10-contained/

Here are more updates on the Moreno Valley wildfire.

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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/22/georgia-florida-wildfires

Multiple wildfires reported in Florida and Georgia as of this posting.

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https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/growing-wildfires-blamed-for-death-of-florida-firefighter-destruction-of-120-georgia-homes

Here is an update on the Georgia wildfires.

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https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260425_02/


https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/northern-japan-wildfires-prompt-mass-evacuations-flames-spread-2026-04-24/

Iwate, Japan hit with wildfires.

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Here is more from iwate prefecture.

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/summer-of-village-of-sandy-beach-wildfire-alert-2026-9.7186029

A state of local emergency is in effect for the Summer Village of Sandy Beach after a wildfire destroyed several homes on Saturday.
According to a social media update from Sturgeon County posted at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the fire has "consumed three homes and badly damaged another." Firefighting crews from multiple surrounding jurisdictions have been deployed to the scene.
In a statement posted to the village's website, officials advised all residents of the community "to remain in their homes and avoid leaving unless absolutely necessary."
The statement urged residents to prepare an emergency bag and to be ready to evacuate the village on short notice.
A provincial wildfire alert issued Saturday just before 10 p.m. said the wildfire is burning on the east side of Sandy Lake near the village.

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https://abc7.com/post/corral-grand-fires-update-2-wildfires-antelope-valley-trigger-evacuation-warnings-shelter-place-residents/19114458/

Antelope Valley reports of a wildfire.