Ad Astra Radio

12/19/2025

Buhler USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman provides a summary, gives thanks , and shares next steps following the Plum Creek Elementary School evacuation Thursday afternoon.

Buhler USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman has provided a summary , thank You , and next steps following the Plum Creek Elementary School evacuation Thursday afternoon. Couchman was notified of a fire in the north part of the Buhler district at 1:15 p.m. Once she […]

12/19/2025

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon in Leavenworth, Kansas.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon in Leavenworth, Kansas. On Dec. 18, at approximately 4:10 p.m., the Leavenworth Police Department requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Re...

12/19/2025

At this time, the evacuation has been lifted for the North Plum area. All residents can return home. There is some smoke drifting across Plum near 69th street. Please slow down in this area for visibility and the safety of the firefighters.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — At this hour, all mutual aid, in county and out of county task forces have been released from the scene on North Plum. HFD is still on scene working a few hot spots and hay bale fires. Hutchinson crews will remain in […]

12/19/2025

From: Jeremy Unruh
Division Chief of Operations
620-694-2872

Update: North Hutchinson Wildfire
12/18/2025 7:00 pm

At this hour, all mutual aid, in county and out of county task forces have been released from the scene on North Plum. HFD is still on scene working a few hot spots and hay bale fires. Hutchinson crews will remain in the area overnight on patrol. Projection for tomorrow shows a wind shift out of the South. Crews have already solidified the North perimeter in preparation of this. HFD will be on site tomorrow patrolling the area and doing a damage assessment.

No homes have been reported damaged. No injuries of firefighters or residents. Approx. 500 acres burnt. Cause is currently under investigation.

The evacuation area will be lifted later tonight. Our concern with this at this hour is the smoke drifting across Plum Street from a large amount of hay bales on fire. When this dissipates, all areas will be open. As residents return, please keep an eye out on your property and advise 911 if you feel there is a threat. You will see areas burning, these will mostly be in the middle of a burnt area. Again, crews will be in the area all night.

Hutchinson Fire could not have done this with out the help of great mutual aid partners. We thank all that were willing to assists us. 100 firefighters from multiple departments over 4 counties, multiple reno county agencies, and business partners.

Thank you

Photo by Sandra J. Milburn/Reno County
Firefighters continue to put out burning bales of hay Thursday evening west of Plum Street near 69th Avenue.

12/19/2025

Evacuation area will be from 82nd to the 6600 Blk of North Plum and 69th East of Plum to Lorraine.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -December 18, 2025 – At 5:45 P.M. the evacuation order area will change. Evacuation area will be from 82nd to the 6600 Blk of North Plum and 69th East of Plum to Lorraine. Residents South of the 6600 Plum will have to show […]

12/18/2025

Jeremy Unruh-Division Chief of Operations, Hutchinson Fire Department Provides Update on Reno Co. Grass Fire

12/18/2025

The Hutchinson Fire Department is considering the fire contained at this time.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – December 18, 2025 – In a press conference at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, Jeremy Unruh -Division Chief of Operations- said that the Hutchinson Fire Department was considering the fire contained at this time. At 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, the Hutchinson Fire Department […]

12/18/2025

The Kansas Forest Service says their firefighting aircraft are grounded today due to the high winds, which can make flying unsafe for pilots and reduce effectiveness of water drops.

The high winds are also hampering part of the wildfire response. The Kansas Forest Service said their firefighting aircraft are grounded today due to the high winds, which can make flying unsafe for pilots and reduce effectiveness of water drops. Because of this, firefighters are […]

12/18/2025

An evacuation order is currently in place from Plum Street east to Halstead, north of 56th Street, out of an abundance of caution.

A press conference will be held today at 4:00 p.m. at the Hutchinson Fire Department Command and Training Center, located at 3201 E. 4th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas.

Read more:

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (December 18, 2025) — An evacuation order is currently in place from Plum Street east to Halstead, north of 56th Street, out of an abundance of caution. The fire is located near 82nd Street, extending east of Blue Spruce Road toward Rolling Hills […]

12/18/2025

12/18/2025

Due to the wildfire north of Hutchinson, the Kansas State Fairgrounds is accepting horses only for temporary emergency shelter, effective immediately and until further notice.

Hutchinson, Kan., December 18, 2025 – Due to the wildfire north of Hutchinson, the Kansas State Fairgrounds is accepting horses only for temporary emergency shelter, effective immediately and until further notice. Horse owners needing shelter may bring animals to the Fairgrounds by entering throug...

12/18/2025

Update: Evergy Outages in Hutch area up to around 100
-----------------------------------------------------

Evergy is reporting just over 5,000 customers without power. About 60 customers are off in Reno County, mostly on the south side of Hutchinson, the city of South Hutchinson, and south of south Hutchinson. Midwest Energy is reporting 283 customers without power in the southwest part of Lyons, with another 200 or so out in the Great Bend area.

There have been multiple reports of wind gusts exceeding 60 miles an hour this afternoon. With some gusts reported over 70 in the Salina and Russell areas. The peak gust reported so far at Hutchinson Regional Airport was 64 miles an hour, just after 1 PM.

https://ow.ly/SMi750XLI7M