It was hot, but not quite hot enough to claim the record. The official high today was 110 degrees, which falls just short of the record for the day of 111 degrees which was set back in 1980.

Hill City in Western Kansas was the high spot in the state with a record of 115 degrees, a day after hitting the same mark to earn the distinction of recording the nation’s highest temperature, according to the National Weather Service.

Numerous Kansas communities are shattering records for high temperatures this week as an intense heat wave bears down. Farmers fear they’re losing valuable corn crops to the heat, and emergency management officials are urging residents to take extreme caution and avoid being outside.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, several other cities were still topping 110 degrees, including Russell, Dodge City, Great Bend and Hays.

There have also been dozens of grass fires reported, the latest reported in Great Bend. At least two firefighters have been injured while fighting that fire.

Gov. Sam Brownback has issued an emergency declaration for nine counties of central and north-central Kansas, citing the risk of wildfires.

Counties covered by the declaration issued Wednesday evening are Barton, Ellis, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Phillips, Rooks and Russell.