photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Smoke pours from an area north of I-70 in this photo taken Friday, May 16, 2025, from the KU boathouse on the Kansas River looking north.

Large plumes of smoke were pouring from an area near Interstate-70 around 12:30 Friday afternoon, creating a widespread smokiness throughout Lawrence.

The smoke was the result of a controlled burn by the Evergy electrical utility, according to Fire Battalion Chief Brandon Holloman.

This is a developing story.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Smoke pours from an area north of I-70 in this photo taken Friday, May 16, 2025.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

A staging crew was in the vicinity of Riverridge Road and North Michigan Street Friday, May 16, 2025.