Crawford County was included in a Feb. 19 notification from the US National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield that a red flag warning was in effect across the Missouri Ozarks.

Red Flag warnings are issued by the NWS to alert fire managers to conditions that are highly unfavorable for prescribed burns and may lead to wildfire growth. Maximum winds were expected to be between 30 and 40 miles per hour across the state during the weather event.

Bourbon Fire Chief Tim Ware said that the department has responded to two fires since the warning, including a natural (brush) fire and a structure fire. A fire truck was sent to assist the Leasburg Fire Protection District.

Ware recommended that individuals abstain from burning during the Red Flag event. 

“We just strongly urge you not to,” said Ware.

While the Red Flag alert has expired, residents should be vigilant for warnings until a significant amount of rainfall is recorded.

“Until we get a good amount of rain,” said Ware, the department will be aware of the increased risks of wildland fires.

According to a drought map from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that was released on Feb. 19, Crawford County has two classifications, though most of the county is in a moderate drought. The northeastern part of the county, according to the map, is abnormally dry. The drought monitor focuses on using a broad scale. The intensity levels range from D0 to D4. D0 is abnormally dry, D1 is a moderate drought, D2 is a severe drought, D3 is an extreme drought and D4 is an exceptional drought. 

The Bourbon Fire Protection District has not reported a burn ban.

The Cuba Fire Department said that there is no burn ban in their district.

If a burn ban were in place in Cuba and someone violates it, Cuba Police Chief Doug Shelton said that they can be issued a summons 

Mike O’Connell, communications director at the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS), shared DPS’s response to the Red Flag alert.

“Everything from mutual aid was done from the local level,” said O’Connell. 

Fire department chiefs are the ones who issue no-burn orders if they are deemed necessary.

“Last year we actually had kind of a March disaster,” said O’Connell. “All kinds of winds into the morning and into the afternoon.”

Gov. Mike Kehoe issued Executive Order 25-19 on March 14, 2025, that declared Missouri under a State of Emergency because the NWS issued potential tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.

DPS posted about the situation on its website.

“There were estimated to be over 1,000 wilderness fires during March 2025,” according to a DPS release. “On March 14 (2025), strong winds led to the spread of well over 100 wildland fires around the state, straining fire resources. Some fires damaged and destroyed structures.”

DPS has previously posted about fire prevention precautions while burning brush and debris. “Check for local burn bans or restrictions before conducting any open burning," DPS posted.

Fire prevention precautions include:

• Keep fire a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings.

• Never use gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid to start the fire.

• Do not leave a fire unattended.

• Have fire extinguishment materials on hand, including a water supply, shovels and rakes.

• Be prepared to extinguish the fire if the winds pick up.

• DO NOT delay a call for help – call the fire department immediately at the first sign of the fire getting out of control.”