OFFICIALS WORRIED ABOUT DRY SUMMER, FIRE

After the snuffing of Wednesday's 500-acre field fire near East Cape Girardeau, Ill., Southeast Missouri officials are concerned about the blaze hazards that may follow if this summer is dry.

That fire, which threatened a petroleum pipeline and two houses, was likely started by the tossing of a cigarette. According to Marble Hill Fire Chief Jim Bollinger, in parched rural areas that is usually all it takes to start a natural cover fire -- a fire that burns wood, leaves, grass, thatch, etc.

"You can take all the precautions in the world and still have fires," Bollinger said. "People need to be cautioned over and over about throwing their cigarettes out the windows of their cars into dry grass -- that's what ashtrays were made for. In fact, that is how most fires that start near roads are started."

According to Bollinger, other dangers include burning trash early in the morning and leaving it. As the sun comes up and the moisture decreases, embers from that small fire could spark a larger one.

Bollinger said that fire departments in residential areas that are built near woodlands must be prepared for field fires.

"When we get fires (like the one in East Cape), they are substantial. We have to be prepared. Woodland fires are different from residential fires in that they aren't stationary. A woodland fire moves away from you, and buildings and crops could be in its path. We use different methods of suppression for instance, we have brush buggies. These are mini-buggies that are designed to bring water into the fire. We also try to create fire breaks. That's where we try and dig a trench around the fire to try and stop it from crossing over."

There haven't been any no-burn order ordinances issued in Marble Hill, Bollinger said, because the residents there are careful and cautious.

"It's peculiar that we don't have a no-burn ordinance, because of the terrain out here," Bollinger said. "But a main reason is because our residents are very knowledgeable during the high risk months. They need to be commended. We've seen counties around us nearly burn themselves down because of carelessness."

Research Forester Rick Kammler of the Missouri Department of Conservation says the high-risk months are just around the corner for Southeast Missouri and that every extended forecast he's seen for this summer points to bad news.

"They are all predicting a dry, hot summer," Kammler said. "And we could have some fires that are catastrophic."

The problem is not just lack of rain, but people moving into the area. Delta Fire District Training Officer/State of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Officer John Sachen said many people moving into rural areas are unfamiliar with drought and fire hazards.

"People need to rake away from their buildings," he said. "This is so a fire won't damage their property. People also need to know that burning leaves is dangerous. If there is a no burn advisory, it should be followed meticulously. Also, don't burn logs or snags those literally don't burn at all. They'll smolder for five or six days, and a wind can come up and start a large fire."

Sachen agrees with Kammler and says that although there have been recent rains and there may be some moisture on top of the soil, deep down, it's very dry.

"It looks very green," Sachen said. "But that can fool you. All you have to do is dig down to find the layers that are dry five to six inches thick. If the sun comes out for four days or so, it can burn. It's very misleading."