Spicewood fire burns 1,300 acres just north of Ozark County
photos by David Vaughan There were more than a dozen fire departments who responded in mutual aid to the Spicewood fire off N Highway last week.
While there were some structures and vehicles burned, including this camper and car, there were no residential homes that were destroyed, thanks to the valiant efforts of the many firefighters and dozer operators who fought the Spicewood fire. In a Facebook group post, resident Thomas Tran thanked God and the many firefighters and others who helped with the fire. “The burn literally made a perimeter around our house within 15 yards,” he said. Volunteer firefighter Michael Schiff responded, “There were responders standing in every yard with their backs to the house and their face towards the fire, ready to defend. Probably 20 teams doing that. The common theme was ‘this is someone’s home, and we do every last thing we can to save it.’ God was very much with us...” photos by David Vaughan
The Spicewood fire, Douglas County’s largest wildfire in history, was named because the area where firefighters were working in the initial days is known as Spicewood Hollow, named for a common aromatic shrub found in the Ozarks. photos courtesy of David Vaughan
A burn ‘thriver’ Brixey-Rockbridge volunteer firefighter Cody Smyth was among those who helped fight the Spicewood fire. A post on the BRVFD Facebook page said, “Cody is a burn ‘thriver.’ I say thriver, as that is what he does. Even though Cody was burned so severely that he lost both hands and both feet below the knees (yes he fought the fire on prosthetics), he carries on. He was a Shrine Hospital success story as, by all rights, a lot of people would have died from burns as bad as his. Cody Smyth has a purpose! He does more than most able-bodied people would. Think about volunteering or make a donation to your local fire department.” To read more about Cody’s story, search www.ozarkcountytimes.com for Cody Smyth. photos courtesy of David Vaughan
Using rakes in the fight Volunteer firefighters often use rakes to create firebreaks, areas where dry and dead leaves and other debris is raked away, causing a “break” where the fire runs out of material to burn. Dozers are also used on a larger scale for the same thing. During the Spicewood Fire, firefighters said the blaze jumped many of the firebreaks that were put in. It also jumped highways and other roads as it flared across the countryside. photos courtesy of David Vaughan
This year is shaping up to be one to remember in the Ozarks as Mother Nature has thrown a gamut of dramatic weather our way. In the two weeks, Ozark Countians saw rain, hail, a massive tornado, warm sunny days, below freezing temperatures and even a little sleet and snow.
In the mix of that crazy cocktail of weather has been continuous low relative humidity and what some residents have said are the fiercest winds they’ve experienced in recent years, reaching up to 60 mile per hour in gusts at times. That particular set of weather conditions creates the perfect environment for fire to start easily and spread quickly.
And that is exactly what happened with a fire now named the “Spicewood Fire” off N Highway, just north of the Ozark County line in Douglas County. The fire, measuring in at more than 1,300 acres, has claimed the title as the largest fire in Douglas County’s history.
The fire, which began on N Highway in the Eastern Douglas County VFD district, not far from the Ozark County line, was first reported in the very early morning hours of March 17. By 9:30 a.m., the fire had grown to 600 acres. Several volunteer firefighters responded, all of who had been run ragged the week before due to a number of other fires they’d fought.
Weather conditions didn’t improve, and by March 19, wind gusts of 60 miles per hour, fueled a dangerous spread that pushed the limits of what firefighters could handle. Despite the help of 15 or more fire departments, the National Forest Service, Department of Conservation and others, the blaze continued to spread rapidly. Several residents, along with those at least one monastery, were evacuated. By Friday, March 21, crews had contained the fire.
“Praise God no one was hurt! While we are thankful we didn’t lose a home, it was too close for comfort. A fire was stopped right by a home. The damage to the home was melted siding. We lost an old barn, a chicken coop and a portable building. It is by the grace of God and a lot of hard work homes were kept intact. The winds made it impossible to contain. The fire was jumping roads and several dozer lines almost as fast as they were being put in. Crews from many other areas were brought in to assist us and Squires Volunteer Fire Department with wildfires. Crews were out all night and are still on scene working hot spots,” a post on the EDCVFD Facebook page said.
The post says that firefighters came from EDCVFD, Squires, Cabool, Twin Bridges, Dora, Battlefield, Ozark, Ebenezer, Marshfield, Southern Stone County, Aurora, Billings, Willard, Pierce City, Central Crossing, Webster/Taney, Monett and others.
“In my 37 years of firefighting, I have never had a two-week period like the one we just completed. Last week, we fought the biggest fire in Eastern Douglas history that ended up being just under 1,386.4 acres....” a post from EDCVFD said Sunday. “I especially want to thank the men and women of the Eastern Douglas County Fire Department for their efforts to their community. Something that most people don’t realize is a lot of these people missed work without pay left their families, let their chores fall behind, all to be there to help the community.
“And the fire doesn’t end when the last flame goes out. Crews have been at the firehouse for the last three days putting equipment back together servicing pumps and motors and vehicles to make sure they’re ready to respond to the next call. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I would also like to point out that it was only God’s mercy that we didn’t have any loss of life, major loss of property or any injuries during these past two weeks. God bless you all and again thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you’ve done.”