Mutual crews from across Kansas and even other states left Medicine Lodge Monday. Now, Barber County is fighting what's left of the wildfire on its own. There's still nearly 20 percent not contained, but the county is also dealing with a lot of damaged fire equipment.
"It's real rough on equipment. This country is real rough country. A lot of cattle trails, canyons, washouts. You can't see, you're in the smoke, you hit them. So there's a lot of abuse on the trucks," said Sun City Fire Chief, Mark Long.
Fighting wildfire for days in that rough country means plugged injectors, broken rod bearings, and trucks that won't run. Every one of the county's nine volunteer departments have damaged equipment.
"I have no idea what this is going to cost but this is going to be expensive," Long said.
But an even bigger problem?
All of the town's attack fire trucks are currently broken down.
With some of the wildfire not contained, and winds picking up again, all crews are on the look out for flare ups. Sun City got a call Monday that turned out to just be a dust cloud, but the chief had to drive to the next town and borrow a truck before he could check it out. "It's real frustrating when you're getting calls and you don't have a way to get there," he said.