Columbia Fire Department reminds people to be aware as Mid-Missouri faces dry weather

Dry weather conditions could increase the risk of natural cover fires. Low chances of rain and low humidity are expected as Mid-Missouri enters the fall season.

"When we head off into the fall months if we've had drier weather, they [natural cover fires] can become very common," ABC 17 Stormtrack Meteorologist Chance Gotsch said. "We have a lot of natural cover fires on the sides of highways, that's probably where we most often hear them from people throwing out a cigarette or maybe there's some sparks that catch some old gasoline or chemicals on the road."

Other common causes of fires are people burning trash or leaves and improperly disposed of hot embers. Chief Brian Schaeffer with the Columbia Fire Department said that predictable fires like these tend to be preventable.

"Oftentimes they have patios on the back that they can go outside and oftentimes we'll find grills on windy days like what we have today," Schaeffer said. "We see deck fires from coals that have been inappropriately disposed of, maybe just left in a bucket."

The department advises people to have their phone ready to call 911, have a fire extinguisher ready and be cautious with fire using pits and grills.

"When we have a lot of drought, high winds and we have lower humidity, those are days you should hold out on burning until we get a good rain, possibly wait a day or two after that rainfall to ensure safer conditions," Gotsch said.

Last week's drought monitor shows parts of Mid-Missouri remain in dry to moderate conditions.