Salina warns against burning log jam on Smoky Hill River

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – On Saturday, July 19, the Salina Fire Department was dispatched to Indian Rock Park after receiving reports of a small log pile engulfed in flames along the Smoky Hill River.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was unrelated to the much larger and more publicized log jam at nearby Bill Burke Park.

In the wake of the incident, the department says social media chatter has circulated proposals to set the massive Bill Burke Park log jam ablaze as a means of removal. Officials cite serious safety and environmental hazards.

  • If ignited, the fire would likely burn only to the waterline, leaving submerged debris that presents ongoing dangers to the public and waterways.
  • City’s surface water intake structure is located on the west riverbank adjacent to the log jam. The use of accelerants or chemicals to burn logs could contaminate public drinking water.

The City of Salina and the Salina Fire Department are collaborating on a plan to manage and remediate the log jam…

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