Evacuation Lifted for NW Kansas Community After Wildfire as red flag (fire weather) warning Looms in Title
Herndon residents were cleared to return home just after 7 p. m. ET Tuesday after a large grass fire that prompted an earlier evacuation was held to 80 percent containment and was no longer considered a threat to the city,.
Containment update and return orders
Law enforcement lifted the evacuation order for the town of Herndon shortly after 7 p. m. ET. Fire leadership assessed the blaze at about 80 percent containment and indicated it no longer posed a threat to the community. Residents who left during the daytime evacuation were told it was safe to go back to their homes.
No injuries were reported during the incident as of 3: 30 p. m. ET Tuesday, and emergency crews continued to monitor hot spots and hold containment lines into the evening.
Timeline: how the situation unfolded
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, officials placed the town of Herndon under an evacuation order as a large grass fire advanced toward the community. By just after 4 p. m. ET, the fire was estimated to be about 4 to 5 miles northwest of Herndon and moving to the southeast, prompting rapid mobilization of local resources.
Residents were directed to a shelter in Atwood at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 808 1st Street, while firefighters and county emergency personnel worked to slow the fire's progress. Local emergency management units tracked the blaze and coordinated road and sheltering information for affected families.
What residents should expect next
With the evacuation lifted, officials urged returning residents to remain cautious. Crews will continue patrols for flare-ups and smoldering areas near containment lines. People who had evacuated should watch for official notices and be prepared for possible follow-up advisories if conditions change.
Authorities also recommended that homeowners check properties for residual heat, downed power lines or debris that could pose hazards, and to report any new smoke or fire activity immediately. Emergency teams will continue damage assessments and recovery coordination in the coming hours.
The swift response by county law enforcement and fire units helped prevent injuries and limited the scope of the threat to the town. Further updates are expected if containment improves or if firefighters encounter new challenges while securing the perimeter.
