Fire at Fort Leonard Wood blackens 600 acres

November 08, 2010|by Curtis Hancock, KY3 News | chancock@ky3.com

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- A fort spokesman says firefighting crews worked Monday to bring a 600-acre fire under control. That fire started around midday Sunday. It has damaged no buildings or equipment.

Public Information Officer Jeff Maddy says firefighters don't know how the fire started but have no reason to think it was intentionally set or caused by negligence. It's in the area of some of firing ranges but Maddy says no one has linked activity at the ranges to the fires.

People in Rolla and other places around the fort say the smoke is visible for miles.
----

Edited news release from Fort Leonard Wood:

The extremely dry conditions contributed to a containable fire on several of the training ranges. The fire started early Sunday afternoon.

Fire department personnel responded and subsequently requested dozer support from 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB). The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assisted with helicopter support and water drops on Sunday.

Operation was halted during night time hours and began again Monday morning, with firefighters on scene at 7 a.m. (daybreak). Fire Department Chief believes they will contain it with the dozers from the4th MEB and troop support from 4th MEB and the three training brigades.

Fort Leonard Wood has a pre-established rotation for fire suppression and that has been activated. Current estimates are approximately 600 acres have burned.

Background information: Fort Leonard Wood has fluctuated between fire danger 3, 4, and 5 for the past seven days. Dry conditions with increased winds have curtailed some training on the ranges to reduce risk of fire.

Installation has been monitoring and responding to small fires on training ranges over the past 10 days. Mutual aid agreements are in place with the DNR and surrounding fire departments. St. Robert Fire Department is assisting Leonard Wood fire department with office and dispatch support at our main fire station.

|

|

|