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Kansas fire marshal, local departments prepare for wildfire season

Kansas firefighting officials are working to improve state wildfire response, prevention and education following the release of a report from Gov. Laura Kelly’s wildfire task force.The 2023 report provided 30 recommendations for responding to and preventing large fires, improving risk forecasts, and enhancing volunteer fire departments.Kansas Fire Marshal Mark Engholm said the report included a need for improved communication across fire departments, and for more robust support of the state’s 600 independent fire departments.

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Ogallala Aquifer drops by more than a foot in parts of western Kansas

Aquifer levels in parts of western Kansas that rely on groundwater for everything from drinking to irrigation fell more than a foot last year, Kansas Geological Survey scientists said Tuesday. The Kansas Geological Survey earlier this month completed its annual campaign to measure the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies the western one-third of the state with water.

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