A trio of fires struck Barry County over the weekend, all vegetative and all starting just days after the Barry County Commission enacted a burn ban until further notice.
The first fire was on Friday west of Cassville and east of Exeter along Highway 76/86. According to the Exeter Fire Protection District, the blaze began at 2:02 p.m. — caused by a single burn barrel — and the scene was cleared at 6:53 p.m.
More than 18 structures were put at risk by the pasture fire, including houses, barns and outbuildings. All structures were protected by firefighters on the scene.
Approximately 35 acres of pasture and 80 round bales of hay were lost, but no buildings were affected.
A total of 52 firefighters, four emergency dispatchers, five law enforcement officers and two EMS employees responded. Agencies who assisted Exeter included: Barry County Central Dispatch, Mercy EMS, Barry County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol, as well as fire districts or departments from Cassville, Wheaton, Washburn, Butterfield, Purdy, Central Crossing, and Monett.
That level of response brought 35 vehicles into the area, including: 11 brush trucks, eight tankers, six engines, three command vehicles, five law enforcement vehicles, one rescue vehicle and one ambulance.
“This is a prime example of what a simple burn barrel can cause,” a post on the Exeter Fire Protection Districts’ Facebook page said. “Something so simple could cause you or your neighbor to lose everything they have. There are not enough words to express how proud we are to serve along side these agencies.
“All of these people stopped what they were doing and came together seamlessly to bring this situation under control. We are always willing to help our neighbors in a time of need and appreciate the return of service.”
On Saturday morning, another fire began in the Cane Hollow are of Mark Twain National Forest. The blaze burned for more than 24 hours and consumed about 300 acres of forest near Table Rock Lake, contained Sunday afternoon by the Central Crossing Fire Protection District.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, crews remained on scene monitoring the contained perimeter.
The cause is still unknown and is under investigation. Firefighters want to remind people in southwest Missouri that the area has been experiencing drought conditions and it is important to be very careful with any open flames in the woods, the Forest Service said.
On Sunday, a third fire sparked up in Cassville less than a mile from the Cassville Volunteer Fire Protection District station.
According to Derek Acheson, Cassville Volunteer Fire Protection District chief, firefighters received reports of an outside fire at 3:33 p.m. near Sale Barn Road and Farm Road 1107. The first arrived on scene at 3:42 p.m., and the fire was under control at 3:59 p.m. All units cleared the scene at 5:12 p.m.
Cassville had seven apparatus and 12 personnel on scene, Exeter had two apparatus and three personnel, and Butterfield had three apparatus and eight personnel.
Acheson said the blaze was believed to have been started accidentally, possibly from equipment working in the area.
With the high fire danger and gusty winds, Cassville immediately called for a second alarm which led to the Exeter and Butterfield fire district responses.
Cassville remained on scene for an extended period of time to ensure total extinguishment.
