Numerous fire departments respond to Alma fire as it encroaches on town

A rekindled grass fire from Monday blanketed Alma in billows of smoke and prompted an estimated 15 area fire districts to respond.

Wabaunsee County undersheriff Darrin Stewart said the fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday. The blaze started south of town but heavy winds brought it into Alma, he said.

Stewart said rumors that Alma, a town of less than 1,000 people in Wabaunsee County, was being evacuated were untrue.

According to the Kansas Adjutant General’s website, Gov. Sam Brownback issued a state declaration of emergency for Wabaunsee, Riley and Pottawatomie counties, which were all experiencing wildfires. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management also received verbal approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance in Wabaunsee County, the website said.

As the blaze reached the town, a risk to structures grew. A machine shed was considered a total loss.

Emergency crews knocked out fires threatening two homes and also continued attacking the fire from the south side, Stewart said.

Firefighters worked to protect a Holy Family Catholic Church building that sat across from the main church. Amy Bandel, of Alma, said the building was used for church classes and that records also were inside. A group of people gathered outside the church, which sat atop a small hill, watching crews work and talking about the fire.

Topeka firefighters had been in Salina for a structural collapse training. On their way back to Topeka, Fire Department training officer Alan Stahl said they received a call that “Alma might be burning.” Topeka crews responded, supplying lights and compressed air.

Alma resident Ruth Messer, who lives about a block from the church building that was on fire, said she was very scared and praying that rain would come soon. Around 5 p.m., she looked out her window and couldn’t see the gas station that sits across the street from her home.

A command post was established in the center of the town. Major Brian Burkett with The Salvation Army said the organization received a call for assistance at 5:15 p.m., and by 6:45 p.m. was providing sandwiches and drinks to emergency personnel at the command post.

“We’re thrilled to be of assistance to the emergency workers here,” he said. “Us doing this allows them to fight the fire.”

Alma resident Sue Flach was walking around the scene carrying stacks of pizza boxes. She said she had ordered about 30 pizzas to distribute to firefighters.

Wind speeds in Alma were 25 to 30 mph with gusts even higher on Tuesday, said Matt Wolters with the National Weather Service in Topeka.

Crews were expected to work into Wednesday to suppress the wildfire.