BATTLEFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Firefighters are preparing to face fire threats again as Monday and Tuesday are KY3 First Alert weather days.

KY3 meteorologists say Wind gusts are expected to range from 25 to 45 mph; These winds will work in conjunction with the dry conditions still plaguing the Ozarks, leading to high fire danger on Monday and Tuesday.

“It’s a very demanding, very demanding job. Every time we have fires like this. “The last few months, especially the last 30 to 45 days, have been pretty dry,” said Capt. Tim Childs of Battlefield Fire.

Fire officials say low humidity and possible high winds over the next two days will increase the likelihood of a fire. Since the beginning of the month, Battlefield Fire has responded to half a dozen brush fires.

One of the fires occurred recently in Wilson’s Creek. It took more than two hours just to put it out.

“Since grass fires can unfortunately spread very far, having to travel further afield to fight these fires makes the job even more burdensome,” says Childs. Most of the time we do this without water. We do this by hand, rake, or use a backpack blower to get ahead.”

Compared to this time last year, firefighters say they have only battled one brush fire. They warn people not to get burned, saying that a tiny spark is enough.

“People cooking in their backyard using an unsealed source can cause that spark to fall into their neighbor’s backyard or into their neighbor’s gutter system, which contains leaf litter that is highly flammable this time of year,” Captain Childs said.

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