Dry conditions are causing disaster fires in rural areas

PERRYVILLE Mo. (KBSI) – The dry weather is causing issues for fire fighters.

The dry conditions, dry leaves, and wind are unfortunately a recipe for disaster. The lack of rain leading to dry ground and already quickly spreading fires. 

Dry ground, dry air, plenty of wind, and little rain are all a combination that helped a fire like the one on Monday in Scott County. 

Scott County Rural Chief telling us the flames that took out 15 vehicles, a trailer home, sheds, tires and more. 

A cause for concern for Scott County and beyond. 

Perry County Commissioners just put out a burn advisory and are asking people to put the matches away and not to burn anything. 

Garrett Schott is the Assistant Chief for the Perryville Fire Department he says this month and last month they have had a dry spell, but it mainly depends on the weather. 

To get rid of any unwanted leaves in your yard here is what he suggests. 

((Garrett Schott, Assistant Chief, Perryville Fire Department))

“In the city they can push the leaves out to the street and the city will come by and pick those up. The city has a vacuum keeper for that. Out in the county they just need to either let the wind blow them or wait until the weather has the right conditions to burn,” said Schott.

Schott says that even a tiny fire can burn a field in the matter of minutes when the weather is this dry. 

“To keep everybody safe with these winds and the dry conditions with a small fire in a field can grow two acres with no time at all due to the wind conditions so we want to protect everybodies property whether it be out in the county or here in the city, anything can turn drastic in the matter of seconds with a fire,” said Schott. 

Brent Phillips is the Chief for the Oran Fire Department he says they have already had two fires that were started by grass and field fires. By the time the fire department got there it was a significant scene. 

“There were upwards of 3000 tires, 15 cars, and a couple structures that were damaged so it can get pretty significant,” said Phillips.

Phillips says the dry weather and pick up of wind will contribute to grow these mass fires. He says at times like this they could use more volunteer firefighters. 

“Members in the total is low as of now and the response times you know responding to the south end of our district to the south end of a bordering district you’re looking at fifteen to twenty minutes of response time,” said Phillips.

Oran and other Fire Departments saying they need more help to fight these fires and others. 

Make sure to check your county to see if you are under a burn ban advisory and how to properly dispose of your leaves.