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Wildfire Prompts Evacuations Near Sedgwick county, Colorado
january 17, 2026 - A rapidly spreading wildfire along Interstate 76 in Sedgwick County, Colorado, triggered mandatory evacuations Friday evening, as high winds and dry conditions fueled the blaze. The fire, located near the intersection of Colorado Highway 59 and I-76, poses a significant threat to nearby residents and travelers.
Evacuation Orders and Affected Areas
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office issued mandatory evacuation orders for individuals living in the immediate vicinity of the fire. Specifically, evacuations are in effect for residents along Sedgwick County Road 18 to the south and County Road 19 to the east [1]. Authorities urged residents to evacuate instantly to ensure their safety.
red Flag Warning and Fire conditions
The wildfire’s emergence coincides with a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service for Colorado’s Eastern Plains. this warning indicates a heightened risk of wildfire due to a combination of strong winds and low humidity [2]. These conditions create an environment where fires can ignite easily and spread rapidly.
NASA Monitoring Wildfires
NASA actively monitors wildfires globally, providing valuable data for tracking and understanding these events. The Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE) program delivers near real-time data within three hours of a satellite observation, aiding in rapid response efforts [3]. While specific data regarding this Sedgwick County fire from NASA LANCE isn’t yet available as of this writing, the agency’s resources are often utilized to assess wildfire extent and behavior [3].NASA’s Earthdata platform also provides imagery,such as that captured by the VIIRS instrument aboard the Suomi NPP platform,to document wildfires like those seen in Izmir Province,turkey in July 2025 [1].
Ongoing Situation
This is a developing story, and the situation remains fluid.
