Sparse Rain Showers Do Not
Make Open Burning Safe
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 2, 2005-State Fire Marshal Randy
Cole warns southwest Missouri citizens to contact their local fire
department before conducting any open burning because of unusual weather
causing dangerous fire conditions.
“Even though some rainfall was seen in southwest
Missouri this past weekend conditions are still too dangerous to conduct
safe open burning,” Cole said.
Weather conditions including sparse rainfall, low humidity
and wind have contributed to National Weather Service red flag fire
warnings in southwest Missouri.
The western part of Newton County has especially seen
a lot of fire activity, reporting around 30 grass or brush fires in
Seneca; 30 trash, brush or leaf fires in Redings Mill; as well as
fires in Carl Junction.
Cole said burn ban ordinances have been enacted in
many southwest Missouri cities and citizens in those areas will be
fined for violating the ordinance. Additionally, citizens should know
that if they go ahead and burn on their property in poor weather conditions
the fire could easily spread to a neighbor’s property. Those
originating the burn can be criminally prosecuted for the damage.
For more information please contact Terri Durdaller
at (573) 751-4819.