LAURIE, Mo. — Dry weather and a breezy day fueled a fire that scorched 30 acres and brought out three fire districts and forestry rangers on Thursday.
Gravois Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ed Hancock discovered the fire located on Lake Trail Road, near Laurie, 1.5 miles off Highway 5.
Smoke settles into a valley as a brush fire scorched about 30 acres near Laurie on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.
photo courtesy Gravois Fire Protection District
“I saw the smoke columns and followed them to the fire,” Chief Hancock said. Mutual aid was requested at approximately 1:30 p.m. “We had a natural cover fire that was driven by 8 mph winds, through very dry timber and tall grass.”
According to Chief Hancock, the fire started in a yard next to a residence. No one was home at the time of the fire. “The cause of the fire is undetermined,” he reported.
Mutual aid partners with the district, Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District, Stover Fire Protection District and forestry rangers from the Missouri Department of Conservation battled the fire. They first began an offensive attack to protect the residence. A second structure was also threatened. Once the structures were secure, hand crews began a defensive attack on the natural cover fire using rakes, blowers and water and hose lines.
There were no damages to the structures, but 30 acres were destroyed by fire. “It was heading in the direction of the Tater Hogs Restaurant on Highway 135,” Chief said.
“We posted a no burn notice today. There was high danger fire conditions due to high winds, 24 percent humidity and dry conditions,” Chief reported.
Thirteen apparatus and 17 firefighters responded. “Normally, we could fight a fire this size with six firefighters, but it was difficult to combat with the high winds driving it,” Chief said.
He added, ”Pay attention to the fire departments' recommendations. If they ask you not to burn, there is a good reason. And with the combination of low humidity, high winds and dry conditions, you do not want to drop a cigarette in the grass, it will take off fast."
Fire crews cleared the scene at 5:20 p.m.
