Sedalia, Pettis County Currently in Burn Ban

Pettis County Fire Chief Mike Harding announced on Wednesday that Pettis County is currently in a burn ban until further notice.

Winds up to 30 mph were recorded Wednesday out of the SW, which then changed to the NW around 6 p.m. when light rain showers moved into the area.

Winds will be less severe today – up to 15 mph and up to 21 mph Friday with a high of 63.

Also, due to forecasted winds and very little rain, the City of Sedalia was being placed into a burn ban Wednesday as well.

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“There shall be no open burning or use of recreational fire pits until further notice,” the City said in a press release.

According to Weather.com, total precipitation for March so far in Sedalia is 1.43 inches. The average is 2.76 inches.

A Wednesday night facebook post from Chief Harding reads:

I believe we should all take the time and pray for some much needed rain.
Fire Departments all over this wonderful State have been putting in tiredless hours protecting their communities. Multiple Fire Departments have been deployed to help assist other departments that are in great need of a break.
Please keep in mind that at some point we will receive adequate moisture to lift these Burn Bans that are currently in effect for most of Missouri. There is good reason that these Burn Bans have been implemented.
All Fire Departments are asking the public to please be aware of situations with in your surroundings. If you see a fire please get it called into your dispatch centers immediately.
There has been questions on how some fires are getting started.... possibly a fire bug starting them.... if you see this please notify your dispatch center and give the dispatcher as much information as possible.... 1) color of vehicle. 2)license plate if at all possible make sure to check out state of vehicle. 3) direction of travel. 4) male/female if possible. Please do not take matters in your own hands and notify the Authorities. Anything else that stands out related to person or persons/vehicle etc.
Smokers please do the right thing put your cigarette in a safe place and do not throw it from the vehicle.... this is wasting countless taxpayer dollars. I'm not saying that all smokers do this but we fight countless fires from cigarettes thrown from the vehicle.
Calls for the month of March so far for PCFD is 55. Some of these calls have taken us into 6 other Fire districts to help and assist them in time of need. Recently helping out Warsaw Fire with 2 Structure Fires with a total of 3 Fire Departments. Leaving Warsaw to respond to Camdenton for a 500 acre fire that also burnt several structures .... once we arrived we were released becauae they got the fire under control. 3 days later assisting Deer Creek fire that had 500 acres burning that grew to 850 acres before bringing it under control and working with 9 other Fire Departments with no structures lost.
Today around 11:30 PCFD was called back down to assist Deer Creek Fire with a large Fire off of M hwy Edwards Mo. 4 structures lost in this fire, several vehicles and several acres. 6 Fire Departments brought the fire under control by 14:30. With PCFD crews helping out these other departments we were still able to take care of Our District. PCFD has an amazing group of fire fighters that are willing to jump when the tones drop. I'm so proud to be able to work side by side with the men and women of Pettis County Fire. With that being said the Fire Departments we have been working arm and arm with have been unbelievable. Each Department has been extremely willing to work with one anothers crews.
The Fire service as a whole across the nation are seeing firefighter numbers fall every year. More and more paid and volunteers are needed, so please help us help the communities.
Please help me in thanking all Firefighters in every community nation wide in their sacrifice of helping others.
Thanks for your support.
-- Chief  Harding