Here’s what Hutchinson fire officials say caused fatal weekend fire
Fire officials in Reno County have determined what started the Cottonwood Complex fire on Saturday.
The Hutchinson Fire Department fire marshal, Mike Cain, along with other agencies, say the weekend fire “started from a brush pile left unattended,” according to a news release.
The fire was about 85% contained as of Wednesday morning, and fire crews are currently controlling hot spots and burning trees. The recent snowfall sped up the containment, Hutchinson fire chief Steven Beer said.
The Fire Department is “anticipating having this fire contained to 100% sometime between Thursday and Saturday if all goes well,” the release says.
Beer says flight restrictions have also been lifted in the area.
The Reno County Sheriff’s Office has not yet identified the person who was killed in the fire on Saturday.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 10:13 AM.