Large Grass Fire Closes Highway 83

A grass fire in Seward County left 100 acres of pasture land scorched and destroyed thousands of dollars worth of hay. The fire was reported just before 1 p.m. near Highway 183 about 15 miles north of Liberal.

Investigators say Highway 83 and Highway 160 were both closed by the fire and blowing smoke. Traffic was diverted onto Highway 190.

No structures were damaged but a large amount of fencing in the area was destroyed. The fire burned 100 acres of pasture land and destroyed 86 bales of hay worth $10,000. No injuries were reported.

Crews were able to get the fire under control around 2:30 p.m. The flames flared back up just before 4 p.m. and fire fighters were able to knock it back down less than an hour later.

Fire fighters from surrounding Kansas and Oklahoma communities responded to calls for mutual aid. The cause of the fire is under investigation.