05/18/2026
🔥 Wildfire Evening Update - May 17, 2026🔥
As we close out day four of this fight against the fires burning across southwest Kansas, we are reminded once again that Mother Nature can be relentless. Today brought powerful winds that tested every firefighter on the line, and forecasts show similar conditions expected Monday.
Even in the face of these challenges, firefighters continue working tirelessly, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect lives, homes, livestock, and communities. Their courage, endurance, and selfless service inspire all of us, and we are deeply grateful for every hour they spend on the fireline.
Our hearts are also with the residents impacted by these fires. Many families are facing uncertainty, exhaustion, and loss after an already long and difficult fire season. Please know: you are not alone. The safety and well-being of our communities remain our highest priority.
We will continue standing beside our firefighters and our fellow Kansans, providing support wherever and however we can until these fires are under control and recovery begins.
Active Fires:
🔥 Wolf Canyon Fire
Southwest Meade County. Burned into Oklahoma and then back into Kansas.
6,822 acres
50% contained.
🔥 Meade County Complex 1
Largest fire in Meade County. Located south of the town of Meade and around Meade State Lake. Active fire behavior this afternoon pushed toward the Meade community. Residents should remain ready to go if needed. Kansas Forest Service remains engaged in the operational support of this fire at the request of the fire department. Task forces from out of state have arrived to begin integrating into operations.
46,304 acres
0% contained
🔥 Meade County Complex 2
Located just east of Complex 1.
18,394 acres
🔥 Proffitt Lake Fire
Located on the Meade/Clark County line
17,968 acres
🔥 Meade County Fire 2 - 12,46 acres
Meade County Fire 3 - 1,999 acres
🔥 500-Acre Pond Fire
Located in Clark County, east of the Proffitt Lake Fire.
2,621 acres
🔥 Herman Range Fire
Located in Clark County, just northeast of the 500-acre Pond Fire
6,024 acres
500-Acre Pond Fire and the Herman Range fire are very active this evening. They are beginning to burn together.
Residents in Minneola should remain aware of the fire activity in their area, as it is expected to remain high through the night and tomorrow. Firefighters are actively fighting to slow the spread of the fire to safe values at risk tonight.
🔥 Bouziden Range Fire
The largest of the fires is burning in Clark County, just south and west of Clark State Fishing Lake.
13,108 acres
🔥 Lexington Fire
Located in Clark County, east of Clark State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area and west of Highway 34.
1,441 acres
Regional Map courtesy of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management
