Shawnee County is under a burn ban effective immediately. The ban will remain in effect until further notice from the Shawnee County fire districts. All burn permits that have been issued by the county's fire departments are temporarily void.

Grass fires have plagued Shawnee County all week.

Topeka had its first grass fire on Thursday. It burned about 60 acres. A fire started by a lawn mower burned about 800 acres in rural southwest Shawnee County Wednesday.

Firefighter Jared Cripe knows first hand how fast and how damaging a Kansas brush fire can be.

"Out here at Shawnee Heights, they've had fires go as far at 10 minutes to a few days lasting," Cripe said.

And the Emporia Gazette reports that as of noon on Thursday a total burn ban was back in effect in Lyon County.

With the fire danger high this winter because of dry conditions, firefighters say Kansans need to be extra careful, especially people in rural areas who burn their own trash and brush.

Shawnee Heights Fire Capt. Charles Calhoon has a bit of advice for residents who are starting controlled fires.

"Just be very careful," Calhoon said. "A lot of people bite off more than they can handle."

He said with the dry conditions, even the most controlled burns can get out of control.

"A lot of times we'll have a calm day where most of the rural departments are letting people burn," Calhoon said. "Sometimes weather conditions just change. things get out of hand."

When brush fires get out of hand, firefighters say they have to not only act fast and hope the weather is on their side, but they also need to be prepared for a long fight.

Calhoon says people cannot afford to be careless.

"Just use your head," he said. "Be really careful. Always call before you do any sort of burning."

Calhoon reminds people it does not take much to start a brush fire.

Things as small as a spark from a lawn mower or a smoldering cigarette can lead to large fires.