Outgoing U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) is finishing her sixth and final term on Capitol Hill, after her unsuccessful Senate run in August. Congresswoman Hartzler joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, saying she’s thankful on this Thanksgiving for her family and for her constituents for electing her six times. She also spoke in-detail about the massive October Wooldridge wildfire, saying she has questions for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about how they handled tall grass at the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge:
Parson, Rowden to visit fire-damaged rural town in mid-Missouri
Missouri’s governor will travel to rural Wooldridge Wednesday afternoon to tour damage from Saturday’s devastating natural cover fire.
The Cooper County Fire Protection District says Saturday’s blaze burned more than 3,000 acres of land and destroyed or damaged at least 23 structures in the village of Wooldridge.
Governor Mike Parson will be at the Wooldridge community center at 2 pm. Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) and State Rep. Tim Taylor (R-Speed) tell 939 the Eagle that they’ll join the governor for today’s Wooldridge tour. Representative Taylor says U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) will join them.
Saturday’s blaze was so massive that it closed heavily-traveled I-70 for two hours. More than 50 fire departments from across Missouri battled the blaze, and the Boonville MFA and Pilot Grove Co-Op also provided water tankers. The fire has also caused damage to the popular Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lawmaker: cash donations are best for Wooldridge-area residents
A former firefighter with 30 years of experience says he’s never seen a blaze like Saturday’s natural cover fire in Cooper County.
State Rep. Tim Taylor (R-Speed) tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that there was a four-mile fire line going through the Missouri river bottoms near Wooldridge.
“When I got down there there was still houses standing, but the dryness and the wind volume and force and man it’s just hard to put into words. Those houses were gone in minutes,” Taylor says.
Cooper County Fire Protection District officials say the fire burned between 3,000 and 3,500 acres, damaging or destroying at least 23 structures in Wooldridge, which is southwest of Columbia. Representative Taylor says the fire spread quickly in the river bottoms.
“That stuff which may normally be a wetland, that stuff has been dry now for weeks and weeks. And so that particular area was just a tinderbox waiting to happen,” says Taylor.
The fire also damaged the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Representative Taylor tells 939 the Eagle that everyone wants to help the Wooldridge area, adding that it’s still too early to know all of the needs. He says monetary donations are still needed for Wooldridge-area residents. He recommends donating through the American Red Cross or local churches, saying that’s the fastest way to get help to get help to those affected.
Blaze destroys at least 3,000 acres in Cooper County, including in federal wildlife refuge
Cooper County fire officials say Saturday’s natural cover fire destroyed or heavily damaged 23 structures in the small village of Wooldridge, which is southwest of Columbia.
While no serious injuries are reported, the Cooper County Fire Protection District says the fire burned between 3,000 and 3,500 acres. The district says Saturday’s fire started at about 3:15, adding that high wind speeds and low humidity caused it to spread to nearby structures and into the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
More than 50 fire departments from across Missouri battled the blaze, and the Boonville MFA and Pilot Grove Co-Op also provided water tankers.
The massive fire closed heavily-traveled I-70 for two hours due to low visibility from the heavy smoke. State Rep. Tim Taylor (R-Speed), who served as a firefighter for 22 years, was in Wooldridge on Saturday. He tells 939 the Eagle that I-70 was closed between the Highway 87 exit at Boonville and the Wooldridge exit, near the Missouri River.
The village of Wooldridge is located in Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden’s district. Leader Rowden (R-Columbia) tells 939 the Eagle that he is heartbroken to see the pictures and hear of the devastation in Wooldridge. “My office certainly stands ready to help in any way as these folks begin the road to recovery and restoration,” Rowden says.
Keep your radio tuned to 939 the Eagle for any updated information. We’ll have the latest on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” Monday morning starting at 5:30.