MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) -- Five members of the Manhattan Fire Dept. are taking their emergency rescue skills to Florida, to help the people there make it through Hurricane Dorian.

On Monday, the fire department shared a picture of the quintet lined up as they got ready to deploy. They packed up their Rescue 2 unit and an SUV to make the trip and are taking along a UTV as well.

The agency says it's all part of the the Kansas State Fire Marshal Office's statewide task force.

Members of the Dover Fire Dept. are also set to deploy to Florida later Monday as well.

Dorian is expected to begin pulling away from the Bahamas early Tuesday and curve to the northeast parallel to the southeastern coast of the U.S. The system is expected to spin 40 to 50 miles off Florida, with hurricane-force wind speeds extending about 35 miles to the west.

Authorities in Florida ordered mandatory evacuations in some vulnerable coastal areas. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned his state that it could see heavy rain, winds and floods later in the week.

 

https://www.wibw.com/content/news/5-Manhattan-firefighters-heading-to-Florida-for-Hurricane-Dorian-559193531.html

Fire crews from multiple jurisdictions were on the scene of a large, out-of-control grass fire early Thursday afternoon just west of the Topeka city limits.

The fire was reported around 12:20 p.m. in the 1900 block of S.W. West Union Road. At that time, the blaze was reported to be getting close to a structure.

Personnel from the Dover fire department were first on the scene.

At 12:45 p.m., a mutual-aid request was made for additional units from the Mission Township Fire Department.

Then, around 1 p.m., additional mutual aid was requested from the Auburn Fire Department in the form of a brush truck.

As crews worked to put out the blaze after 1 p.m., there were no reports of damage to any structures.

This story is developing. Check cjonline.com later for additional information as it becomes available.

 

http://cjonline.com/news/local/2017-11-30/fire-crews-battle-large-grass-fire-thursday-just-west-topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) — A brush fire that sent plumes of smoke towering over Topeka was likely arson.

Fire officials tell 13 NEWS they believe someone deliberately set the blaze, which cut through a rural field near SW 21st and Hodges Road, just west of Western Hills Golf Club.

Firefighters from Mission Valley township first responded to the scene shortly after 1 p.m. They were soon joined by members of the Dover Fire Dept.

The flames has not reached any nearby buildings. However, firefighters say they are working to protect six structures.

The Kansas Highway Patrol was asked to deploy an aerial unit to provide an overhead look at the fire.

This story is still developing. 13 NEWS will update this story as more information becomes available.

This morning at 1007HRS, SCFD4 was alerted to a two vehicle MVC involving a Shawnee County Sheriff's Office Deputy and his K9 partner. Many surrounding agencies responded including AMR - Topeka, the Kansas Highway Patrol, our neighboring Mission Township Fire Department for mutual-aid and many additional law enforcement agencies. All were transported for medical evaluation, our thoughts are with all involved.