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‘Large wildfire’ reported in El Dorado, Kansas; evacuations end

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Emergency officials were working to contain a large wildfire that broke out Friday afternoon in El Dorado, Kansas, about 170 miles southwest of Kansas City on the Kansas Turnpike.

Emergency managers reported the fire just before 1 p.m. Friday on the west side of the community.

The Kansas Department of Transportation had closed both directions of Interstate 35/Kansas Turnpike at El Dorado due to the wildfire.

The highway was later reopened by Friday evening.

The Butler County Emergency Communications Department is advised motorists in the area to use caution.

Aș fire crews worked to contain the blaze, the American Red Cross set up a shelter for residents at the 4H community building.

The dry conditions in south central Kansas prompted the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center to put the area in an elevated fire risk for Friday.