Two fires in less than 24 hours at Juden Creek Conservation Area; burn ban in effect

Captain Kelly Allen points out fire line areas to assistant chief Mark Hasheider Wednesday, November 11, 2009, in the Juden Creek Conservation Area. The brush fire was in a remote location in difficult terrain for personnel and equipment to reach. (Kit Doyle) [Order this photo]

Just before noon Wednesday, fire crews responded to a second brush fire in less than 24 hours at Juden Creek Conservation Area.

Both fires are suspicious in nature, said Mark Hasheider, assistant fire chief for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. Because they were a quarter- to half-mile apart, there was little chance the second fire was caused by remnants of the first, he said.

"They're definitely two distinct areas," he said. He said there was no evidence of materials used to start the fire.

Firefighters put out a brush fire from a Kubota ATV Wednesday, November 11, 2009, in the Juden Creek Conservation Area. Assitant Chief Mark Hasheider called the five-acre burn suspicious with a similar burn occurring Tuesday evening in the same area. The brush fire was in a remote location in difficult terrain for personnel and equipment to reach. (Kit Doyle) [Click to enlarge]

Firefighters used all-terrain vehicles with pumps to reach the fires. Wednesday's fire was more than a mile into the wooded area on a ridge. Crews from Jackson and the East County Fire Protection District also responded.

Hasheider said it took crews about 45 minutes to get Wednesday's fire under control. It burned four to five acres of mostly leaves and undergrowth. The fire was reported by a driver on Highway 177, he said.

At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a brush fire that was reported by a hiker. Tuesday's fire burned about three acres, he said.

Due to the dry conditions, he said, a burn ban is in effect in Cape Girardeau for today.

John Sachen of the Delta Fire Protection District said brush fires are more likely this time of year because they can start easily. With a discarded "cigarette or dropped match, you have an almost immediate smoldering fire," he said.

About 5 p.m. Wednesday, Delta firefighters responded to a brush fire in an inaccessible area on both sides of the Iron Mountain Railroad trestle at Allenville, Sachen said. The fire covered seven to 10 acres and damaged the south end of the trestle, he said. Firefighters from Whitewater and Gordonville assisted.

A cause hasn't been determined yet, but the fire doesn't appear to be suspicious, Sachen said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Juden Creek Conservation Area