Field Fire Spreads to 40 Acres, Damages Garage on Kings School Road

Bismarck, Mo. (KFMO) - A field fire that broke out Sunday afternoon in northern St. Francois County spread to approximately 40 acres and ignited a neighboring garage before firefighters brought it under control.

At 1:25 p.m. on March 1, the Bismarck Fire Protection District was dispatched by St. Francois County 911 to the 1000 block of Kings School Road for a field fire that had gotten out of control.

While units were responding, the alarm was upgraded to a structure fire after flames reached a large garage on an adjacent property. The upgrade automatically requested mutual aid assistance.

Bismarck units 3160, 3161, and 3180 responded to the scene. The Pilot Knob Fire Protection District arrived first due to proximity and began assessing the situation.

Engine 3160 was positioned for structural protection, while Engine 3161 was set up on Kings School Road to establish drafting operations for water supply. Brush unit 3180 initiated the field fire attack alongside property owners, and five additional brush trucks were requested to assist with ground fire operations.

Firefighters established a fire line around the perimeter of the blaze, extinguished numerous hot spots, and cut down burning trees near containment lines. Authorities estimate the ground fire spread to roughly 40 acres, involving multiple sheds and the large garage.

Due to limited access to the structure, Pilot Knob’s 7585 Brush/Rescue unit was utilized for the structure fire attack with firefighters from Bismarck, the Farmington Fire Department, and Pilot Knob. Crews forced entry into the garage, located fire that had spread inside, and successfully extinguished it.

The structure fire was brought under control with one minor injury reported. The firefighter was treated on scene by the St. Francois County Ambulance District, which was providing rehabilitation support at the incident.

Firefighters battled dry ground conditions and high wind gusts throughout both the field and structure fire operations. The cause of the fire has not been released.