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Harvey County declares 14-day disaster after Fox Ridge gas smell; state, Sedgwick hazmat respond
Summary
County emergency management briefed commissioners on an intermittent underground gas release in the Fox Ridge subdivision and asked the board to approve a 14‑day local disaster declaration to access state and Sedgwick County hazmat resources; commissioners approved the proclamation and signed it.
Harvey County commissioners on Aug. 26 approved a proclamation declaring a local disaster emergency after emergency management reported an intermittent release of a flammable gas in the new Fox Ridge subdivision south of Newton.
County emergency management director Lee Miller briefed the board that Kansas Gas and the Newton Fire Department have been investigating a reported gas smell over the weekend and into Monday. Miller said the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Sedgwick County hazmat teams were on scene to provide subject‑matter expertise and specialized monitoring equipment.
Miller told commissioners the source had not been determined and that experts had not ruled out an older gas line or a natural release. He described a mitigation tactic in use: intermittent soil ventilation with compressed‑air equipment, which reduces gas readings while it is operating but allows levels to rise again within hours when the equipment is off. Miller said there were no injuries or property damage reported, and residents were being allowed in and out of their homes.
The county administrator said the Kansas Division of Emergency Management duty officer advised that the county make a disaster declaration to legally access state and Sedgwick County resources. Miller asked the board to validate his verbal declaration by formally signing a proclamation, recommending a 14‑day effective period unless rescinded earlier.
Commissioners moved, seconded and voted to approve the proclamation. The board signed the declaration; no evacuation order was issued at the meeting and Miller said any future protective actions would depend on wind direction, wind speed and the volume of gas released. He urged residents to follow directions from Kansas Gas and technical responders.
The incident command remains with the Newton Fire Department, Miller said, and the county’s role is to coordinate resources. Commissioners also heard that construction in the immediate area was halted as a precaution.
The declaration authorizes the county to request assistance and specialized equipment from state and Sedgwick County agencies while responders continue monitoring and investigation.
