Wildfire in Kansas, April 14, 2018

Name: Wildfire in Kansas, April 14, 2018
Start: 2018-04-14T12:30
End: 2018-04-14T17:30
Location: Kansas

April 14, 2018 · NWS DDC · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A wildfire developed between Hugoton and Moscow as the result of a cotton gin fire that got out of control.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DDC wrote it up.

A wildfire developed between Hugoton and Moscow as the result of a cotton gin fire that got out of control.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Dodge City, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 14, 11:23 AM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 14, 11:23 AM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
1223 PM CDT Sat Apr 14 2018

...updated aviation section...

.SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 245 AM CDT Sat Apr 14 2018

High winds will continue through much of the day as the surface
to 500mb low moves across northern Kansas into northwest Missouri.
Boundary layer mean winds across western Kansas are forecast to
range from 40 to 45 knots and 850mb winds will be at or greater
than 50 knots through 21z Saturday. Wind gusts as high as 65 mph
still look possible across western Kansas through the mid
afternoon as sustained northwest winds howl at 30 to 40 mph.

Based on what was observed yesterday morning from the models the
expected area of steadier and heavier snowfall during the
overnight period ended up being further north and northwest. This
resulted in much less snowfall across north central Kansas during
the first half of the night. The latest RAP, NMM, ARW, and to a
slightly lesser extent NAM still indicating that there will be an
area of steadier light snow crossing north central Kansas between
9z and 18z Saturday based on the 1-3km/700mb
moisture/frontogenesis. This period of steadier light snowfall
could still produce an inch or possibly even two inches of new
snow in a few locations of Ellis and Trego counties. Given this
expected snowfall and strong winds Blizzard or near Blizzard
conditions may still occur along the I-70 corridor. Confidence
was beginning to decrease on this however and will continue to
monitor the latest models early this morning and adjust if
needed. Even if confidence improves enough to cancel the blizzard
warning today there will still be a period of reduced visibility
early this morning due to blowing snow that will cause some
travel issues.

Strong winds and chance for snow will decrease/taper off from
west to east during the afternoon as an upper level ridge begins
to cross the western Rockies, and a surface highs starts to drop
south into western Kansas. Highs today still look on track with
highs only in the 30s where skies will be cloudy all day, mainly
east of Dodge City. West of Dodge City where more afternoon sun is
expected highs will be in the 40s.

Tonight the surface high will build into western Kansas and where
the surface ridge axis will be located early Sunday morning is
where the lighter winds will be located. Light winds and clear
skies will result in a cold night with lows mainly in the teens
with a few lower 20s possible.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 245 AM CDT Sat Apr 14 2018

Models this morning still showing a nice warm up from Sunday
through the first part of the work week as an upper ridge slides
east out into the west central highs plains and improving westerly
downslope flow develop. Temperatures rebounding quickly back into
the 80s for portions of western Kansas on Monday still looks on
track with 80 to 85 degree highs still appearing reasonable for
much of western Kansas on Tuesday. As temperatures warm the dry
and breezy conditions will also be returning to western Kansas.
This will bring an increase in fire weather risk levels to western
Kansas early next week. Elevated to Critical fire danger levels
will be possible for portions of western Kansas on Monday and
Tuesday.

Mid week a quick moving upper level trough/low will cross the
northern and central Plains. As it does the next cold front will
cross western Kansas. At this time this frontal passage will be a
dry and little cold air is expected to return to western Kansas
behind this front Wednesday or Thursday. Still look for highs to
fall out of the 70 and 80s and back into the 60s mid week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon)
Issued at 1222 PM CDT Sat Apr 14 2018

A High Wind Warning remains in place for the entire area through 01
UTC. Winds will gradually fall through the evening hours but remain
gusty above 25 knots at HYS and possible DDC beyond midnight. In the
meantime, occasional narrow n-s oriented snow bands over the area
may lead to short 10 mi swaths of reduced vsbys to a mile or less
through the afternoon.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DDC  41  21  56  28 /  20   0   0   0
GCK  42  19  59  29 /  30   0   0   0
EHA  49  24  66  37 /   0   0   0   0
LBL  47  21  64  33 /   0   0   0   0
HYS  35  18  47  21 /  50  10   0   0
P28  44  23  55  28 /  10   0   0   0

&&

.DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ this evening for
KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090.

&&

SHORT TERM...Burgert
LONG TERM...Burgert
AVIATION...Russell

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 14, 2:52 AM CST, 9 hours 38 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Dodge City KS
352 AM CDT Sat Apr 14 2018

KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090-150900-
Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman-
Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa-
Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber-
352 AM CDT Sat Apr 14 2018 /252 AM MDT Sat Apr 14 2018/

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...south
central...southwest and west central Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Day 1 Discussion
----------------

Strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 60 mph
possible this afternoon and overnight. Refer to the latest
TOPNPWDDC for more details of these strong winds.

Snow and Blowing snow will produce near zero visibilities
overnight in Trego and Ellis counties. A Blizzard Warning is in
effect tonight for Trego and Ellis counties. See TOPWSWDDC for
more information.

Day 1 Hazards
-------------
* Non-thunderstorm wind: Significant risk
* Snow: Significant risk

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Days 2-7 Discussion
-------------------

Elevated to Critical Fire Risk Levels are expected across western
Kansas next week, especially Monday and Tuesday.

Days 2-7 Hazards
----------------
* Sunday
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk
  - Fire weather: Significant risk

* Monday
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk
  - Fire weather: Significant risk

* Tuesday
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Elevated risk
  - Fire weather: Extreme risk

* Wednesday
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk
  - Fire weather: Significant risk

* Thursday
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk
  - Fire weather: Significant risk

* Friday
  - Non thunderstorm wind: Limited risk
  - Fire weather: Significant risk

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

For more details visit our webpage http://weather.gov/ddc/ehwo

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 14, 8:09 AM CST, 4 hours 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
909 AM CDT SAT APR 14 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0825 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ENE GARDEN CITY       37.98N 100.84W
04/14/2018  M62 MPH          FINNEY             KS   MESONET

            MESONET STATION KS010, 1 ENE GARDEN CITY.

&&

MR

Local storm report, Apr 14, 8:10 AM CST, 4 hours 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
910 AM CDT SAT APR 14 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0707 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST DODGE CITY, KS          37.77N 99.97W
04/14/2018  M58 MPH          FORD               KS   ASOS

            ASOS STATION DDC, DODGE CITY, KS.

&&

MR

Local storm report, Apr 14, 9:20 AM CST, 3 hours 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
1020 AM CDT SAT APR 14 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0943 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST GARDEN CITY REGIONAL AI 37.93N 100.72W
04/14/2018  M59 MPH          FINNEY             KS   ASOS

            ASOS STATION GCK, GARDEN CITY REGIONAL
            AIRPORT.

&&

Local storm report, Apr 14, 9:21 AM CST, 3 hours 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
1021 AM CDT SAT APR 14 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0910 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 NE HAYNE              37.15N 100.75W
04/14/2018  M61 MPH          SEWARD             KS   MESONET

            MESONET STATION UR350, 4 NE HAYNE.

&&

Local storm report, Apr 14, 11:57 AM CST, 33 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
1257 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1250 PM     WILDFIRE         6 S HUGOTON             37.08N 101.33W
04/14/2018                   STEVENS            KS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

&&

MR

Local storm report, Apr 14, 12:10 PM CST, 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS
110 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1200 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SSW KISMET            37.15N 100.73W
04/14/2018  M68 MPH          SEWARD             KS   MESONET

            MESONET STATION K5KSM, 4 SSW KISMET.

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

Wildfire, Stevens

When: April 14, 12:30 PM CST to 5:30 PM CST
Where: Stevens forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.192, -101.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The fire did not consume any structures.

What these are

Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, April 2018

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 753078.