Officials investigating the cause of a large grass fire on Thursday in Saline County believe tire shredding from a vehicle as it was going down the I-70 is to blame, according to a social media report from Saline County District 3 Fire Chief Scott Abker.
The Fire started just after 1 p.m. on the south side of Interstate 70 between Muir and Headville Road and crossed the interstate prompting temporary evacuation.
Abker wrote, "I wanted to address the concerns that our fire Thursday was set by an arsonist. I don't believe that to be the case. I and an investigator from the State Fire Marshal Office walked that whole area along I-70. There were 6 separate fires within about a mile along the highway. Some were very small. Evidence in each of those areas most likely points to a tire shredding as it was going down the interstate."
Aerial drone footage captured by Olivia Bergmeier, Salina Post
"This is the most likely cause for the fire based on my experience. If it was one area of origin then smoking would be most likely. Cigarette butts were found by the dozens all along the highway, not just in areas that burned."
"The combination of high wind, low humidity and very dry grass all combined to start what often is a small, easily controlled fire into what we all saw Thursday."
"We appreciate the outpouring support and thanks our community has bestowed upon the Fire Service community in our area as well as the surrounding fire departments who all came to assist."
