During a recent government meeting, officials from the Sedgwick County Fire Department presented a detailed report on the significant fire that occurred at Evergreen Pallet on June 23, 2024. Fire Marshal Brad Crisp provided insights into the incident, which escalated quickly, necessitating the involvement of both Sedgwick County and Wichita fire crews, as well as assistance from the Kansas Air Guard.

The fire was reported shortly after 7:30 PM and rapidly grew, jumping established fire lines due to changing weather conditions. It ultimately took four days to extinguish, with crews utilizing nearly 2.8 million gallons of water. Crisp noted that the fire was less severe than a previous incident in 2022, which lasted nine days.

In the aftermath, the fire department has been working closely with Evergreen Pallet to implement mitigation strategies. These include reducing raw material piles by 50%, improving site access, and installing additional fire hydrants. The fire marshal emphasized the importance of early detection and response to prevent future large-scale fires, acknowledging that spontaneous ignition is a risk inherent to businesses dealing with organic materials.

Crisp also discussed the challenges of fire suppression in outdoor environments, highlighting that traditional extinguishing methods may not be effective for large, open fires. He mentioned the potential for using foam systems but noted logistical and cost barriers.

The meeting concluded with a motion to receive and file the fire department's report, which passed unanimously. The discussions underscored the ongoing collaboration between the fire department and local businesses to enhance fire safety and response capabilities.