Crews Contain 80-Acre Brush Fire Near Bismarck

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Firefighters from the Bismarck Fire Protection District and multiple surrounding agencies worked for hours Saturday night into early Sunday morning to contain a large brush fire in rural St. Francois County.

According to fire officials, the Bismarck Fire Protection District was dispatched just after 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, to a smoke investigation in the area of Trap Rock and Highway N. When crews arrived, they located a large brush fire on Avalon Ranch Road.

Officials say difficult terrain and heavy underbrush made firefighting efforts especially challenging, prompting the call for additional agencies to assist at the scene.

The fire ultimately spread to an estimated 80 acres before crews were able to establish a complete line around it.

To help contain the blaze and protect nearby homes and structures, two dozers were brought in to reinforce fire lines. Hand crews also conducted back burning operations in large sections to create wider fire breaks and stop the fire’s spread.

The fire was brought under control overnight, with crews remaining on scene for several hours before returning to service after 3 a.m. Sunday, March 29.

No injuries were reported, and officials say no structures were damaged in the fire.