This year’s weather is the likely culprit for an increased the number of calls the Steelville Fire Protection District has answered in 2012. That number is reaching close to 300 calls, according to Assistant Fire Chief Michael “Tiny” Keen.

    “The weather plays a lot in it,” Keen said, noting that the lack of moisture over the winter months, compounded by the summer drought, made the situation worse. Not only were grasses and brush dry, but even trees and the lumber and materials in buildings were dry from the severe lack of moisture and high temperatures.
    More calls mean more time required and stress placed on the volunteers who staff the fire department. “We’ve got a great group of people,” Keen said, reporting that there are approximately 40 firefighters and junior cadets who assist with calls. But situations like the large fire on Penny Lane that occurred over the summer take a toll on them. And just waiting for the potential call creates stress, too. “We were in a state of readiness in case something would happen,” Keen said. “We were just more on edge.”
    Along with a drain on the human resources involved in fighting blazes, an increase in calls also drains the budget. Although Keen didn’t have exact figures, he estimated that the costs involved would be more this year just because of the simple increase in volume. “Fuel at nearly $4 a gallon affects any budget,” he said. The district does get a break of five cents per gallon for being a fire department, a savings that Keen estimated to be approximately $1,600 to $2,000 per year.
    Keen also cautioned people going into the fall and winter months to be especially careful of wood heat, encouraging them to ensure that flues are clean. Another danger during cold months can be space heaters that aren’t UL approved (tip-over tested) or the kerosene heaters that some still utilize. Keen reminded people to ensure they have a carbon dioxide detector and to change batteries in smoke detectors every six months.