The Hematite Fire Protection District battled a brush fire south of Festus that burned more than 4 acres and a tractor on Monday afternoon, Oct. 12.
The fire district responded to a call at about 1:40 p.m. for farmland in the 1800 block of Tanglewood Farms Road, Deputy Chief John Chartrand reported today, Oct. 13.
“It was unintentional,” Chartrand said. “They (the owners) were doing a controlled burn that got out of control.
“The brush fire burned 4.17 acres including farmland that went into woods and up to Joachim Creek. The acreage was burned up. A tractor caught fire and was a complete loss.”
He said medical care was summoned, but no serious injuries were reported.
“An ambulance was called – Valle Ambulance – to check on the owner,” Chartrand said. “He was OK and was not transported.”
He said firefighters remained on scene until about 6:50 p.m.
Dry conditions added to the spread of the brush fire, he said.
Assisting Hematite were the Festus and De Soto fire departments and the Mapaville and Hillsboro fire districts.