Harvey County Communications

05/18/2026

There's a possibility of significant severe weather in our area today, beginning this afternoon and into the evening. Most potential threats are possible, including tornadoes.

It's a good reminder to talk through safety planning with your family, and to have ways to receive weather updates throughout the day to stay informed. Be safe today! ⛈️

05/01/2026

Harvey County's 9-1-1 phone lines are currently down. Our calls automatically roll to another county to answer, eliminating service interruption.

04/28/2026

Our admin phone lines are currently down. 911 is not affected and continues to work. Believe it is a Cox phone problem. Unknown ETA on when it will be fixed.

04/14/2026

It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week!

April 12–18 is our chance to recognize the incredible people behind the headset here in Harvey County.

Our dispatchers are the first ones to pick up the call when something goes wrong. They stay calm while gathering the details, guides people through those first critical moments, and sends help fast. Their work is tough, fast paced, and essential to keeping our community and responders safe.

**If you know one of our dispatchers, or if you have a kind word to say, drop a comment below. They deserve every bit of appreciation this week!

03/28/2026

UPDATE (7:33 p.m.): Emergency responders have stopped the forward progress of the grass fire near the Harvey/Reno County line. Responders will continue mop-up work and monitor the area over the next several hours to check for hot spots. There may be smoke visible from the burned area over the next couple of days.

One firefighter incurred minor injuries in the response. No structures were damaged in the grass fire.

The wildfire was generally in the area between Northwest 12th and 24th streets, and North Woodberry and Wheat State roads.

The fire began around 3:30 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Wildfires in this area are historically tricky. The landscape is prime fuel for fires, and today's wind conditions complicated the response.

Fire/EMS units that responded to the incident include Burrton, Halstead, Hesston, Moundridge, Mount Hope, Newton and Sedgwick. Law enforcement from the Burrton, Halstead and Newton police departments, as well as the Harvey County Sheriff's Office, also assisted. Harvey County Emergency Management, Reno County Emergency Management and Harvey County Communications provided additional support.

We appreciate all of the partner agencies that came together to make relatively quick work of the fire. Grassland fire danger will continue over the weekend. Please be careful.

(Photo from the scene earlier this afternoon.)

03/27/2026

This is near the Reno County line, northwest of Burrton.

Emergency responders are battling a grassland fire near Northwest 24th Street and North Woodberry Road at the Harvey/Reno county line.

The fire is difficult to control due to the terrain, and the response is complicated by the wind conditions. Units from both Harvey and Reno counties are on scene. Please avoid the area.

03/20/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Monica today, who is leaving after 23 years under the headset (22 at Harvey and 1 at Reno County). Best wishes and Godspeed!

03/20/2026

Good information from our neighbors to the west. We too have had several "controlled burns" that got away in recent days. We are in a lengthy pattern of very high fire risk right now. Please use an abundance of caution and awareness. The property you save may be your's or a neighbor's.

03/04/2026

As stated, we will still be doing some of our background steps and radio announcements to responders, and encourage people to review safety procedures, but we will not be setting off the sirens today.

🌪️ The statewide tornado drill was scheduled for today. However, given the overcast skies and soggy conditions, it will be canceled in Harvey County. Outdoor warning sirens will not be sounded.

Regardless, this annual drill is a worthwhile opportunity to practice and talk through what to do in a tornado warning. Whether it's with family, community or coworkers, it's important to prepare together, so in the event the real thing happens - and it certainly can in Kansas - your reaction is second nature. 🌪️

02/25/2026

Today marks 10 years since the mass shooting incident that concluded at Excel Industries in Hesston. The events of that day were senseless and unconscionable. However, we remain proud of our community's response to unthinkable tragedy.

Our citizens demonstrated resilience and compassion. Our first responders exemplified bravery and determination. We rallied and supported one another. We remember and honor the lives needlessly taken that day, and we wish comfort on those who still feel the burden from those events.

Together, we remain strong. We are .