Wildfires
Early spring marks the height of wildfire season in Missouri. Dry conditions combined with strong winds create ideal conditions for fire spread across forests and grasslands. In March 2025 alone, Missouri experienced over 1,000 wildland fires, with 224 fires in a single week burning more than 15,500 acres.
Most of these wildfires are human-caused—primarily from unsafe debris burning, which continues to be the leading cause of wildfires across the state.
Prevent Wildfires: Choose Safer Options or Burn Responsibly
Safer Alternatives to Burning:
Compost small twigs and yard debris for garden use.
Chip larger branches into mulch for landscaping.
Haul brush and limbs to designated disposal sites.
Cut and stack branches as firewood for personal use or sale.
Build brush piles as wildlife habitat—these naturally decay in 2 to 5 years.
If You Must Burn:
Check regulations with your local fire department. A burn permit may be required.
Notify local fire officials before burning. Provide details like the time, location, and materials to be burned.
Monitor the weather. Avoid burning on dry or windy days. Ideal times are early morning or late afternoon when humidity is higher and winds are calm.
Keep brush piles small (approximately 5 feet by 5 feet) and burn only in open, clear areas.
Never burn under trees, near structures, or beneath power lines.
Use a tarp to keep debris dry, then burn safely after rainfall when surrounding vegetation is damp.
Have tools ready—rakes, shovels, water sources, and wet burlap sacks—to quickly control flare-ups.
Stay with the fire until it’s fully out. Douse ashes thoroughly and stir to ensure no smoldering embers remain.
Recheck the site the next day to confirm the fire is completely extinguished.
Every Fire Starts Somewhere—Let’s Make Sure It’s Not From You.