Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges has announced that a burning ban is now in effect in Geary County. No fire burn permits will be issued until sufficient rainfall is received.

Berges announced the ban after consulting with County Commission Chair Florence Whitebread.

He said rural firefighters were called out on two calls Wednesday, after battling multiple blazes on Tuesday including an estimated 6,000 acre grass fire in the southeast part of the county. On Wednesday firefighters responded southeast of Junction City to a rekindled blaze near Carr Road, and in the second smoke was reported near the RC Kennels business southeast of Junction City, but no fire was located.  That business had been threatened by a rekindled grass fire earlier in the week but was not damaged.

Berges said the public should not do any outdoor burning of trash, and urged caution in the discarding of smoking materials.

During the past two days alone, approximately 35 firefighters have battled fires, and Berges indicated trucks and equipment also need to be checked after heavy use.