The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Mid-County Fire Protection Chief Scott Frandsen says two natural cover fires on Cross Creek last week were intentionally set. The fires burned around six acres. (Photo courtesy Mid-County Fire Protection District)

Published April 18, 2018

Cross Creek fires not an accident

CAMDEN COUNTY – High winds last week help to fan the flames – literally - on two intentionally set natural cover fires, according to the Mid-County Fire Protection District (MCFPD).

Last Thursday (April 12) at 7:39 p.m., the MCFPD was dispatched to a natural cover fire on Cross Creek Drive, just off of Highway 54 behind the Camdenton Walmart.

First arriving fire units found approximately three acres on fire, with the fire rapidly spreading through the top of the pine trees due to the high winds.

Firefighters entered the woods with blowers and rakes to stop the fire advancement and to contain the fire.

“Access to the fire was difficult, but eventually firefighters were able to use water to extinguish the fire,” MCFPD Chief Scott Frandsen said.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 55 minutes. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

MCFPD cleared the incident at 9:19 p.m. In little over an hour they would be back.

At 10:31 p.m., MCFPD was again dispatched to a Natural Cover Fire down Cross Creek Drive.

First arriving MCFPD units found approximately three acres on fire further down the road from the previous natural cover fire. This fire was rapidly spreading through the pine trees due to the high winds.

Firefighters entered the woods with blowers and rakes to stop the fire advancement and to contain the fire. Access to the fire was limited but eventually firefighters were able to use water to extinguish the fire.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes. No structures were damaged and again, no injuries were reported.

MCFPD cleared the incident at 12:10 a.m.

“The cause of both fires appears to have been intentionally set and are under investigation,” Frandsen said. “If you know anything about these two fires, please contact Fire Marshal Johnson at the Mid-County Fire Protection District office at 573-346-2049.

That was how the day ended but was not the only fire fought that day by MCFPD.

Earlier that same day, at 1:00 p.m., MCFPD was dispatched to a Natural Cover Fire on State Route BB at High Point Road outside of Montreal.

First arriving units found approximately 10 acres on fire with the fire rapidly spreading north due to the high winds.

Firefighters entered the woods with blowers and rakes to begin combating the fire and putting in fire lines to contain the blaze.

While the firefighters were working in the woods they discovered an unconscious land owner (patient) who was lying in the woods within three feet of the fire. Firefighters immediately began rendering medical aid to the unconscious patient while an ambulance was dispatched to the scene.

Firefighters packaged the patient in a stokes basket (stretcher) to carry the patient from the woods to the waiting ambulance. The patient was treated on the scene by Camden County Ambulance District.

With the firefighters treating the patient, MCFPD called for additional assistance from Tri-County Fire Protection District and Sleeper / Stoutland Fire Department.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes. No structures were damaged.

The investigation showed that the fire was started by a land owner who was burning leaves and the fire got out of control.

“We would again remind everyone please do not burn on windy days,” said Frandsen. “Everyone should contact the burn notification phone line at 573-346-3262 before you burn.”

These three fires were a few of several fires that the MCFPD responded to last week.