Cooper County Emergency Management Agency to give update on fire near Wooldridge
COOPER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Crews continue to work to put out a natural cover fire that has burned at least 20 structures near Wooldridge.
Larry Oerly, Director of Operations for Cooper County Emergency Management Agency is set to give an update on the fire at 7 a.m. Sunday.
ABC 17 News crews said they could still smell smoke from the aftermath and see fire trucks in the distance along I-70 just before exit 111 for Wooldrige around 3:30 a.m Sunday morning.
The Cooper County Fire Protection District says, more than 30 crews from different agencies will remain on scene through the night to control hot spots and to be prepared for any change in wind direction.
Cooper County PIO Jim Gann said containing the fire has been a team effort. "More than 25 fire department are here currently, and i just saw a bunch more roll in, so quiet a few. The statewide mutual aid program was activated to get us the assistance we needed."
Cooper County PIO Jim Gann, said an estimated 3500 to 4000 acres have been burned and as of midnight Sunday an estimated 80 percent of the fire was contained
Interstate 70 was closed for nearly two hours while smoke was covering the road. Cooper County Fire Protection District says one person with non-life threatening injuries was transported to a local hospital.
The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter for individuals and families who have been displaced by the fire. The shelter is located at Open Bible Praise Church.
