Dry weather keeps fire crews busy

As several acres of land lie freshly scorched after a welding mishap started a fire on Poplar Road north of Fort Scott, smoke billows into the sky from a separate fire several miles away. Both fires were reported within minutes of each other late last month. Michael Pommier/Tribune Photo

By Rayma Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

Local fire officials are urging area residents to use extreme caution when conducting any type of controlled burn, as the weather conditions are conducive for spreading fires.

According to District 3 Fire Chief Delwin Mumbower, the District 3 rural department has been overly busy fighting fires lately. Since Saturday, Mumbower's firefighters have responded to more than 23 fires in the rural area.

"We've been out since 3 this morning," Mumbower said Tuesday. "I guarantee it is dangerous right now. It is dry and easy to get (a fire) started and hard to stop."

Although Mumbower said officials believe some of the recent fires were set by an arsonist, many of the fires were started when residents were trying to burn trash or conduct controlled burns. According to Fort Scott Fire Department Chief Paul Ballou, one of the many fires firefighters had to fight within the city limits ignited when a spark from a grinder shot out of a garage and into the grass.

Ballou added many road-side fires are started when motorists throw their cigarettes out the window. With the current dry conditions, throwing hot smoking materials onto the ground can easily start a fire, according to Ballou. Because of this, residents are encouraged to dispose of cigarettes in a more appropriate manner.

Smoke from one of the weekend fires on 69 highway created such a visibility problem for passing motorists, the highway had to be shut down for about an hour, according to Mumbower. However, before the road could be closed, a vehicle wrecked causing injury to at least one of its passengers.

"It was zero visibility for a while," Mumbower said. "We shut down the highway to keep any more from getting in there. The wind was blowing just right to go to the highway."

Both Ballou and Mumbower said there probably should be a burn ban in place until the conditions change. However, since there is not a burn ban, those who have to burn should do so cautiously.

"My recommendation is to not do it right now," Ballou said.

However, Ballou added he knows there are some farmers who need to conduct controlled burns.

"If you have to burn, use extreme caution," Ballou said. "If you don't have to burn, don't burn right now. If we don't get some moisture soon, I hope they put a burn ban on."

Watching the weather forecast can help residents understand when conditions are okay to conduct a controlled burn, according to Mumbower.

"If we can caution people to watch the weather forecast (it might help)," Mumbower said.

Mumbower added residents need to watch the extended weather forecast, not just the weather for the day they want to burn. Since brush piles can burn for two or three days, it is important to know what the weather will be like for several days before conducting any controlled burn.

In addition to keeping an eye on the weather, Ballou said it is important for residents to be aware of their surroundings.

"Kind of look at your surroundings if your going to burn," Ballou said. "What looks dry really is dry."

Anyone who is planning to conduct a controlled burn within the city limits must have a permit to do so, Ballou said. To obtain a free permit, which is good for one day from daylight to dark, Ballou said residents need to call the local fire department.

"We want to come out and see where your going to burn and make sure you have the proper water supply," Ballou said.

If the wind is blowing too hard, Ballou said controlled burning permits will not be given out. Failure to obtain a permit before burning within the city limits could result in a verbal warning or a citation which could require the landowner to appear before a court of law, according to Ballou.

Although it is not required by law that county residents obtain a burn permit, Mumbower said there is still a state regulation requiring people to contact the fire department before conducting a controlled burn in the county. This way, the fire department knows where to go should the burn get out of control.

"When they talk about controlled burning," Mumbower said. "It doesn't mean light it and stand back and watch. They need to have a means to put it out and enough people and equipment like rakes and hand-held water extinguishers."

Anyone who has information about suspects who may have set some of the recent fires are encouraged to call the Bourbon County Sheriff Department at (620) 223-1440 or the FSPD at (620) 223-1700. Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray said any information about possible arsonists would be helpful, especially vehicle descriptions and tag numbers.

Gray added the county is extremely blessed to have as many volunteer firefighters as it does.

"We're lucky," Gray said. "Without the volunteers we just couldn't do it."

For more information about controlled burns, contact any of the local fire departments.