HUTCHINSON/BUHLER, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department (HFD) will be completing a mitigation project on Buhler Road from 4th Street North to the 1700 block of Buhler Road, starting at 12 p.m. and they should be off the road by 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2. They will be burning the East Ditch in an effort to prepare for wildland fire season.
HFD surveys the territory in Fire District 2 every year to identify approximately six areas of concern. They will be looking at the fuel type and its thickness to compare against past fire incidents and the wildland urban interface to make their selections.
HFD shared that the fire mitigation projects do more than just burn grass in a ditch. They work as a preventative measure against grass fires starting along the roadway. This work helps HFD create defensible space, gives them an anchor point to help stop approaching fires, helps train the firefighters, creates an opportunity for community awareness. It also allows the HFD to meet the homeowners in the area.
