20-03-2025
Crews battling massive fire in Douglas County since Sunday
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. – Extreme wind speeds on Wednesday fanned fires that are spreading too fast for fire crews to get under control.
Ozarks First was at the scene of a 5-square-mile fire in Douglas County, where firefighters have been battling a blaze for four days.
'It's fast, I mean, they can't get ahead of it,' said Sheriff Chris Degase. 'They can't get it under control.'
Several fire departments from across the Ozarks came together to put out the fire that started as a controlled burn in Douglas County.
'We are still uncertain whether anything else got set after that or if this is strictly off of that controlled burn,' Degase said.
Fast-moving fire prompts evacuations in Douglas County
Crews were battling the blaze on Sunday and were able to get it put out, but the high winds have sparked the embers every day since then, even causing the fire to jump across roads.
'These things are like whirlwinds,' Degase said. 'When I was driving down, you could see the wind spin and it's just picking the embers up, taking them to the other side of the road and starting.'
The sheriff ordered evacuations for anyone living off Highway N near County Road 325 and 333 south of Ava.
'They had to leave,' Degase said. 'There was no option about it. As heavy as the winds were, there was no guarantee (the fire departments) were going to be able to save structures.'
Crews were able to save a few properties in the line of fire, but not everything.
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'Property can be replaced, lives can't,' Degase said.
He gave props to the volunteers and fire crews that have been out there for four days.
'We're just trying to coordinate, get them the resources they need, try to help get food and water and do a little bit of traffic control,' Degase said. 'These guys here are they're the heroes.'
DeGase also credits the community.
'The community has been bringing in food, water, Gatorade to these guys just all day for four days,' Degase said. 'And we appreciate that. And that's just indicative of the community that we live in.'
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