The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Low humidity and windy conditions contributed to many out of control fires over the weekend around our area.
The MST Fire Protection District had one call Saturday, three Sunday and three Monday. All were due to open burning, and one was in mutual aid with Gladstone.
Other districts in the area had their share of fire calls over the weekend as well.
Saturday's fire was the only one to cause property damage in the MST District. Kenny Tapscott who lives in the former Gwen Yaley house at the northwest edge of Stronghurst (above), thought the grass he was burning was out when he went into the house. However, it flared up and caught the barn on fire, totally destroying it.
When the weather turns nice everyone is ready to clean up their properties but caution needs to be used, especially when it is so dry.
Volunteer firemen certainly got their work-out over the weekend and are to be commended for their effort and all the time they give to keep our properties and people safe.
MST Fire Chief Curt Eisenmayer has issued a ban on all open burning within the MST Fire Protection District until further notice. He said the conditions of low humidity and strong winds make open burning very dangerous. Violators of the open burning ban, will be prosecuted, he said.
With seven calls in a three day period, something needed to be done.