Just before 8p.m. Friday, officials reopened Carlson Road to traffic. Residents were allowed to return to their homes. Approximately 2000 acres burned. There were no injuries reported.

MAPLE HILL, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are urging people to evacuate two towns near Topeka because of a large wildfire. The Topeka Fire Department said in a tweet Friday that western Shawnee County should be avoided. 

The tweet said residents of Maple Hill and Willard have been urged to go to the nearby town of Rossville. Multiple emergency crews are on the scene. 

The National Weather Service has issued red flag fire danger warnings for the area because of gusty winds. Shawnee County Emergency Management didn’t immediately have any other details to release.

In addition, fire crews were also working another fire just north of Hutchinson in Reno County Friday afternoon at&nbsp;43rd and Loraine, according to the Hutchinson Fire Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617404810732.png" alt="Heinen Brothers Agra Services has been requested to assist on a wildfire in Wabaunsee/Shawnee Counties-photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>Heinen Brothers Agra Services has been requested to assist on a wildfire in Wabaunsee/Shawnee Counties-photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 8p.m. Friday, officials reopened Carlson Road to traffic. Residents were allowed to return to their homes. Approximately 2000 acres burned. There were no injuries reported.--------MAPLE HILL, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are urging people to evacuate two towns near Topeka because of a large wildfire. The Topeka Fire Department said in a tweet Friday that western Shawnee County should be avoided. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617396126382.png" alt="Traffic backed up at U.S. 75 and U.S. 24 due to the fire-image courtesy KanDrive" />
 <figcaption>Traffic backed up at U.S. 75 and U.S. 24 due to the fire-image courtesy KanDrive</figcaption>
 </figure>The tweet said residents of Maple Hill and Willard have been urged to go to the nearby town of Rossville. Multiple emergency crews are on the scene. The National Weather Service has issued red flag fire danger warnings for the area because of gusty winds. Shawnee County Emergency Management didn’t immediately have any other details to release.In addition, fire crews were also working another fire just north of Hutchinson in Reno County Friday afternoon at&nbsp;43rd and Loraine, according to the Hutchinson Fire Department.

Update: Large wildfire forces evacuations in 2 Kan. towns