Firefighters douse brush fire near Chaffee, Mo.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Firefighters contained a 15- to 20-acre brush fire Wednesday along a steep, wooded hillside known as Chaffee Bluff south of Chaffee.

Authorities said there were a few hot spots within the fire perimeter, but with no strong winds in the immediate forecast, they should not pose a threat of reigniting.

Water used to douse the flames contained additional wetting agents to help keep hot spots from catching fire again.

The Chaffee Fire Department received the first call about the fire around 1 p.m. In addition to Chaffee, firefighters from Delta, Oran, Scott City, Scott County, Morley and New Hamburg/Benton/Commerce also responded. The departments provided personnel, as well as brush and tanker trucks. Authorities said during the early stages of fighting the fire, 25 firefighters were on the scene.

While no cause has been determined, authorities said, the fire appears to have been caused by a cigarette igniting brush along Frisco Road near the bluff.

Firefighters on the scene said the fire was the most severe they had seen so far this year in Scott County.

No firefighters were injured while extinguishing the blaze, and no property damage has been reported. No homes were near the fire.