Update: Osage County Emergency Management has rescinded the countywide burn ban as of 8:42 a.m. March 13, 2026.
Osage County Emergency Management has advised a countywide burn ban will continue throughout today, March 12, 2026, due to low relative humidity, strong wind gusts and dry fuels.
National Weather Service at Topeka has placed much of northcentral Kansas under a red flag warning due to high fire danger. NWS has forecast temperatures to be in the mid to upper 60s today, humidity as low as 19 percent, and southwest wind at 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Fuels are expected to burn efficiently, with fire spread becoming erratic.
The red flag warning is in effect from noon through 8 p.m. today for areas along and west of a line from Council Grove to Topeka to Oskaloosa. Areas southeast of the line are in very high fire danger.
NWS advised that a red flag warning means any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and exhibit extreme fire behavior. Citizens are advised to not burn outdoors, and report any wildfires to local authorities immediately. Smokers should not throw cigarettes out of a vehicle.
Osage County’s burn ban was implemented March 10. The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county and will be in effect until rescinded. For more information about the burn ban, contact Osage County Emergency Management at 785-828-3323 or the Osage County Sheriff’s Office at 785-828-3121.
