Mar 13, 2008

As temperatures warm, spring winds pick up, and afternoon humidity levels drop, the danger of wildfire increases significantly in the Ozarks. The recent rains were beneficial in filling streams and ponds, and adding moisture to the soil, but the dead vegetation from last summer and fall dries out within hours after the rain and will burn easily at this time of year. Rural fire departments have already battled several grass and brush fires this spring, and the fire danger will only increase until new vegetation comes out and the landscape becomes green once again. For that reason, we are publishing Conservation Agent Mark Henry’s column on the front page this week, hoping it will make you stop and think before lighting any fire outside. Spring Wildfires Over the years the Conservation Department, through intensive educational programs and aggressive fire fighting, has significantly curtailed the indiscriminate wildland burning once present in the Ozarks. Activities such as Smokey Bear programs and working in conjunction with volunteer fire departments are some examples of efforts that have paid off. This continues to be an ongoing effort, especially in the spring. Spring is normally the worst time of the year for wildfires. High wind, low humidity, and sometimes dry conditions all play a role in the spring fire season. Even though the indiscriminate burning of days past is not a threat as it once was, fire control is still a top priority and concern for the Conservation Department. Most wildfires are a result of escaped debris burning or arson. If you are considering burning anything outdoors, here are some suggestions to minimize the possibility of a fire escaping and causing undue damage. *Establish a fireline around the entire perimeter of the area you intend to burn. Make it plenty wide and remove all combustible material down to the mineral soil. * Contact your local rural fire department and/or the forestry office. Advise them of your plans and include the time you are going to start and end, and the fuel type. Contact your neighbors and advise them also. *Pick a day to burn that is overcast, calm wind, and high humidity. Early and late in the day is when the humidity will be the highest. Avoid midday burns. *Have firefighting equipment such as rakes, leaf blowers, water and people to utilize the equipment on hand in case your fire does get out of control. *Do not leave a fire unattended. Check on the fire frequently, even when you think it is out. Negligent burning can have legal consequences. Allowing your fire to escape onto the property of another is a crime. Just because you want your field to burn off doesn’t mean your neighbor does also. Forest arson is something we should all be concerned about also. Knowingly damaging property of another by starting a fire is a felony. We need to put those people out of business. If you observe someone start a fire and immediately leave the area, try to get a description of the individual and vehicle license and call law enforcement authorities as soon as you can. In addition to destroying wildlife habitat and timber, houses, barns and other structures are lost every year as a result of out-of-control brush fires. To report these illegal acts of burning contact Conservation Agent Mark Henry at 417-683-6848 or contact your local sheriff's office.