Grass fires flare in south Pottawatomie County

Firefighters from several area fire departments were busy battling grass fires most of Thursday in southern Pottawatomie County.
Fires were reported around Asher, Saint Louis, Maud and Harjo. Dispatch reports show the largest fire was located about five miles north of Asher. That blaze burned about 80 acres.
Mike Potter, an emergency management volunteer working the scene, said there were three structures in jeopardy during that Asher fire.
“Asher and Maud (firefighters) did a fantastic job saving those houses,” he said. The main location of the fire was about one mile south and one-half mile west of Old Highway 18 and SH 59, Potter said.
Firefighters also battled a wildfire in the Maud/Harjo area along SH 9A. Potter said 30 to 40 acres burned in that fire.
Asher, Wanette, Maud , Asher and Tecumseh firefighters worked those scenes, Potter said.
By late evening, Potter said Wanette and Tribbey firefighters were assisting Lexington on grass fire there.
Other grass fires also were reported Thursday north of Shawnee, with reports indicating grass fires in the Meeker and Wellston areas.
Dry conditions are fueling grass fires, so Potter said area fire chiefs have agreed to ask Pottawatomie County commissioners to consider enacting a county-wide burn ban. Commissioners could consider the matter at their meeting next week.
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Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.