TOPEKA, Kan. (KAKE) - The Kansas governor's Wildfire Task Force has released their final report on recommendations to improve the state's oversight of wildfire events.

The report, which can be found here, is organized into three sections, including mitigation and prevention, response, and recovery. The mitigation and prevention section examines what contributes to the state's fire risk, what efforts are currently in place to monitor it, and work that's already underway to mitigate that risk. The response section highlights local and statewide response plans and systems already in place and how they can be improved. The recovery section looks at long-time recovery strategies following a wildfire.

Recommendations listed in the report include expanding efforts to reduce fuel loads, improving weather monitoring, increasing resources for local fire departments, and enhancing funding for firefighting equipment. Many recommendations focus on the importance of mitigation strategies, recognizing it as a shared responsibility that will require collaboration between public and private landowners. The Task Force also recognized the firefighters and the significant role of volunteer challenges local communities face in recruiting and retaining these volunteers.

In July 2022, Governor Laura Kelly appointed a group of leaders from across the state, including Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam, to serve on the Governor’s Wildfire Task Force to create recommendations for how Kansas communities can better prevent, respond to, and recover from wildfires.

“Kansas has been devastated by wildfires far too many times, and it was clear we needed to take a deeper look at how we prevent and respond to these disasters,” Governor Kelly said. “I appreciate the comprehensive recommendations Secretary Beam and the Wildfire Task Force have provided, and I look forward to working together to better support Kansans before, during, and after wildfires.” 

“I have appreciated the candid, yet cordial, exchange of concerns and suggestions among the Task Force members,” said Secretary Beam. “It’s obvious to me the entities involved in wildfire prevention, response, and recovery have enhanced their collaborations and partnerships in recent years, and they are committed to taking further steps to strengthen the state’s wildfire resilience.”

State officials will now determine next steps for how to implement recommendations.