More than 100 acres burned in Theodosia-area wildfire Sept. 9

A rapidly advancing wildfire north of Highway 160 kept Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department firefighters busy for more than eight hours last Wednesday, Sept. 9, consuming more than 100 acres and threatening multiple homes and structures.

TAVFD was dispatched at 2:31 p.m. to a reported brush and wildland fire at or near County Road 905. When the first firefighters arrived, they found a large fire already moving rapidly in multiple directions.

Firefighters faced extremely dry conditions, hot and dry winds that continually shifted direction, heavy fuel loads including hay rolls and wooded areas, limited water resources and poor access in some areas. Multiple homes and other structures were also in the potential path of the fire.

The priority was protecting homes and structures, according to the department. Firefighters were able to block the advancing flames from reaching all homes in the area.

A pickup, an RV trailer and hay rolls were lost in the fire.

While the first fire was still an active operation, firefighters were dispatched to another brush fire along Highway 160 near County Road 829. TAVFD crews had to break away from the first operation to respond to the second fire, where no structural damage was reported.

No firefighter injuries were reported, although the extreme heat and demanding conditions pushed several firefighters close to heat exhaustion.

All units returned to service at 10:56 p.m.

TAVFD officials credited mutual-aid partners from Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department and Pontiac/Price Volunteer Fire Department for their strong response.

The department noted that fires of this size also take a toll on fire trucks and equipment. TAVFD's apparatus ranges from approximately 25 to 43 years old. Two brush trucks are currently out of service for repairs, and the department's main tanker also needs repairs. Those repairs are funded through dues paid by community members, as the department receives no tax dollars.

TAVFD's annual dues drive began Sept. 1, and department officials are asking residents in its service area to seriously consider supporting the department through these dues to help keep its trucks and equipment on the road and ensure the volunteer fire department can continue to respond when residents face these types of emergencies. 

And after a fire day like that one, firefighters had one final request for the community: Please, don't burn. That sentiment is now shared by the Ozark County Commissioners, who issued a burn ban Sept. 10. As of presstime Tuesday, that burn ban was still in effect. See page 1 for details.