December 18th 2025 very strong winds and grass fires

Overview

Very strong northwest winds overspread most of the region on Thursday December 18th with speeds measured in the 50 to 70 mph range. Strong winds combined with lack of recent precipitation and dry low levels to produce dangerous fire conditions. Grass fires started in both Russell and Reno counties with around 2,000 and 500 acres burned respectively. Luckily, no injuries or fatalities were reported with these fires.

Satellite image showing "hot spots" which are grass fires showing up as areas of warmer temperatures

Photos & Video

Photos & Video


List of strongest wind gusts	Map showing measured mesonet gusts	Blowing dust showing up on satellite imagery


Smoke plumes from grass fires evident on satellite imagery	Smoke from grass fires showing up on radar imagery	21z surface observations from around the region

	Just north of Hutch in Blue Spruce at 2:11pm #kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/8BWJ3OfAIo — Tucker Clark (@TuckerC88225967) December 18, 2025	@KAKEnews @NWSWichita #kswx fore SE of Russell. pic.twitter.com/tkI0xinPMl — Mark Keller ✝️🦬🐢 🥩 (@markmarkrat61) December 18, 2025
Mean sea level surface map from December 18th

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