Nearly half of a small Missouri town burned down on Saturday – Wildfire Today


Wooldridge Fire, October 22, 2022
Wooldridge Fire, October 22, 2022. Photo by Cooper County Fire Protection

A wildfire burned about half of the small town of Wooldridge, Missouri, on Saturday. The fire started from a harvester that was harvesting crops and spread through the city, driven by winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with low relative humidity.

Authorities said 23 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. No one was killed and one person was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but the town of 100 had to be evacuated.

Wooldridge Fire, October 22, 2022
Wooldridge Fire, October 22, 2022. Photo by Cooper County Fire Protection

The fire has spread to land operated by Big Muddy Fish and Wildlife Reserve.

Interstate 70 was closed due to smoke for about two hours Saturday evening as the 3,000-acre fire burned.

The Missouri Statewide Mutual Aid system has been activated and more than 50 fire departments across the state have responded.

Wooldridge Fire, October 22, 2022
Wooldridge Fire, October 22, 2022. Photo by Cooper County Fire Protection

author: Bill Jabert

After working full-time in prairie fires for 33 years, he continues to learn, striving to be a student of fire. View all posts by Bill Gabert



Articles You Might Like

Share This Article