Evacuation Order Lifted for NW Kansas Community After Wildfire Amid red flag (fire weather) warning
Herndon residents were allowed to return home just after 7: 00 p. m. ET Tuesday after a fast-moving grass fire that prompted an earlier evacuation was brought largely under control. County officials say containment reached roughly 80 percent and the blaze no longer posed an immediate threat to the town.
Evacuation lifted as containment reaches 80%
Law enforcement lifted the evacuation order for the city of Herndon just after 7: 00 p. m. ET. Fire commanders estimate the main fire is about 80 percent contained and have cleared the community as safe for re-entry. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Residents who left earlier in the afternoon were permitted to return once crews secured fire lines and cooled hot spots near the town perimeter. Officials credited rapid response and favorable shifts in wind patterns for preventing the fire from reaching populated areas.
Earlier response: sheltering and movement of the fire
The town had been under an evacuation order after a large grass fire moved toward Herndon in the afternoon. At approximately 4: 00 p. m. ET, emergency management estimated the blaze to be about 4 to 5 miles northwest of the town and advancing southeast. Evacuated residents were directed to shelter in Atwood at Redeemer Lutheran Church on 1st Street while teams monitored the threat.
Firefighters from the county and neighboring jurisdictions focused on establishing containment lines as winds and dry fuels fueled the spread. No injuries were reported as of 3: 30 p. m. ET, and emergency crews continued operating into the evening to reinforce containment and patrol the perimeter.
Conditions, community impact and next steps
The fire occurred under a red flag (fire weather) warning that had been in effect for the region, elevating the risk of rapid grass-fire spread due to low humidity, gusty winds, and dry vegetation. Officials warned residents earlier in the day to be prepared for quick-changing conditions and to follow evacuation instructions if issued.
Local authorities are advising returning residents to exercise caution: trim back any debris near structures, check for downed power lines, and report lingering smoke or hot spots to emergency services. Recovery crews will continue mop-up operations overnight and assess damages to public land and infrastructure.
Investigators will examine the origin of the blaze once it is fully under control. In the meantime, fire and emergency management officials emphasize that outdoor burning and other ignition sources should be avoided while the red flag warning remains in effect for the area.
Community leaders praised the coordinated response between firefighting crews, sheriff's deputies, and emergency management personnel that helped protect lives and property. Residents with specific questions about damage assessments or local services were encouraged to contact county emergency officials directly during normal operating hours.
