Fire closes part of Boone County highway

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A wildfire shut down part of a state highway in Boone County on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency dispatchers sent out a public alert at about 2:30 p.m. saying Route Z was closed north of East Rob Cook Road. An ABC 17 News reporter saw a large cloud of black smoke and multiple firetrucks at the spot where the highway was closed.

The road completely reopened at 7 p.m.

A reporter heard what sounded like propane tank explosions and tires catching fire as well as fireworks. Neighbors said the property has a variety of materials and scrap metal on it, including cars.

The fire was threatening several buildings and vehicles, the Boone County Fire Protection District posted on Facebook.

Dough Westhoff with the Boone County Fire Protection District said fuel tanks, tires and other items made fighting the fire difficult. He had to pull firefighters back several times, Westhoff said.

"Certainly nothing in those woods worth getting hurt over," he said.

Firefighters were working to have the road open Wednesday evening, Westhoff said. He said heavy equipment was brought in to help move cars at the fire scene.

The fire started from burning cardboard from the neighbor's yard that blew onto the property.