Ava Rural Fire Department

05/26/2026

Last night for Monday night training wasn’t so much about training. We had a little cookout, for Memorial Day but also as a thank you to the volunteers for the hard work put in over the past couple months getting hose testing done. Hose testing isn’t the most fun thing in the world but has to be done!
Then we washed station 2 apparatus.
Now to get back to all the “fun” training!

05/03/2026

The past few weeks have been busy!
We have had 4 MVAs since the 22nd of April, and 2 unknown fires that turned out to be a controlled burn(remember to call the Sherrif’s office prior to burning to report your burn to prevent resources being sent for nothing)
Yesterday (May 1st) at 19:31, we were dispatched for an MVA with entrapment. Upon arrival, with help Douglas County Mo Sheriff deputies, we extracted one individual and turned them over to Cox ambulance. We responded with Engine 1; crew of 2, Engine 2; crew of 3, Brush 2; crew of 2, and 1 POV. No further information will be given on the patient or vehicle.
As we were getting close to clearing, we overheard Mansfield, Missouri Fire Department get dispatched for a possible structure fire. Due to our growing working relationship with them, we had DCSO contact their dispatch to make ourselves available to respond if needed. We were initially told we were not needed, but as we were pulling away from the MVA they requested our response. We responded with both Engines and were heading for Tanker 2 when we were cancelled.

In addition to calls, being it’s the month of April, firefighters have been pressure testing hose for Monday trainings.

Many things happen behind the scenes other than just running calls! Things that must be done for the department to function correctly. And all these things, just like all the calls, are done completely by volunteers!

If you would be interested in making a definite difference in your community, consider joining your local fire department!!
Our department allows juniors to start at 11!
11-13 year olds are able to be training only juniors
14-17 year olds are able to be juniors (able to respond to calls)
Anyone over 18 are able to be firefighters.
Even if you don’t want to volunteer for calls, there are plenty of support roles!

We are proud to serve the citizens of our district!

04/12/2026

At 17:15 on April 11th, ARFD was dispatched for a well involved outbuilding. Upon arrival, units found a fully involved, collapsed outbuilding. Fire attack was started and a dump tank was set up for water supply operations.
A very big thank you to our auto aid agencies, City of Ava Fire Department -Missouri and Squires Volunteer Fire Department, mutual aid from Mansfield, Missouri Fire Department, and standby from Goodhope Fire Dept.
All ARFD returned to service at 20:19.
Great working relationships produce great results!

04/12/2026

At 21:59 on April 10th, ARFD was requested for mutual aid to Mansfield, Missouri Fire Department for a vehicle fire. We responded with Tanker 2; crew of 2, and 1 POV.
We assisted with water supply operations. All ARFD returned to service at 00:08

04/10/2026

At 15:05 on April 9th, ARFD was dispatched for mutual aid to Squires Volunteer Fire Department for a brush fire. Due to the rough terrain, we were requested to bring the Chief’s personal UTV. Thank you to Barbie Ernst for allowing us the use of your trailer.
We responded with Brush 2(pulling the UTV); crew of 2, and Brush 3; crew of 2.
We assisted with transportation of crews, rehab supplies, equipment, and fuel; scoping out the extent of the fire; and ensuring lines were holding via the UTV. Our crews assisted with establishing fire lines and conducting backburn operations.
We are always glad to assist our neighboring departments!
Thank you to City of Ava Fire Department -Missouri for covering our district.
All ARFD returned to service at 21:52

04/04/2026

At 17:20 on April first, ARFD was dispatched to a vehicle fire. Squires Volunteer Fire Department had a brush truck near the area and responded, upon their arrival the vehicle was well involved, SVFD began fire attack, and had the vehicle mostly extinguished upon our arrival.
We finished extinguishment with Brush 2.
We responded with Engine 1, crew of 1, Engine 2; crew of 2, Tanker 2; crew of 1, Brush 2; crew of 2, and 2 POVs.
We are grateful for the working relationships that continue to grow! And grateful for the assistance!
We are proud to serve the citizens of our district!

03/30/2026

At 08:00 this morning, ARFD personnel(all of which were on this fire till 02:00) along with 2 City of Ava Fire Department -Missouri personnel, met with Missouri Dept. of Conservation, to get a game plan for the day’s activities for the 533 fire. Thanks to drone data from a City of Ava Police Department drone that was launched during the initial call yesterday into this morning, we were able to guide MDC to the area they were needed.
We responded non emergent with Brush 1; crew of 2, Brush 2; crew of 2(1 CoAFD), Brush 3; crew of 2, and the Chiefs personal UTV with a crew of 2(1 CoAFD).
MDC put in with their dozer on the northeast side of the fire, our crews put in on our abandoned line on the southwestern side from earlier in the morning, and met the dozer crew in the middle of the southern side.
Fire was declared contained at 12:06.
We cleared at 12:29 and returned to service at 13:29.
MDC did have a jump shortly after we cleared that they handled.

We would like to say a very big thank you to Casey’s and McDonald’s for their generous donation of breakfast this morning before we got started.

We would also like to again thank our mutual aid partners; Squires Volunteer Fire Department who provided coverage of our district along with further CoAFD personnel. We would also like to thank MDC for their assistance, there was part of the area that was nearly impassable due to slash, this was their main objective. Also City of Ava Police Department for their drone and drone operator, the drone helped immensely last night into this morning for line operations and safety.

Multiple agencies working together towards one goal!
The fire is contained at this time, approximately 500 acres involved.

We are proud to serve the citizens of our district!

03/30/2026

Please don’t burn!
We hope to be able to get containment on the fire from last evening that went into this morning before it gets windy.

Elevated fire danger expected today and Tuesday as gusty southerly winds up to 30 to 40 mph at times combine with a dry air mass. Elevated Fire Danger means that weather and land conditions are favorable for erratic fire spread, if a fire does start.

03/30/2026

First of all yes this is getting posted at 03:00 on March 30th, trying to get caught up.
We are a few calls behind, it has been a busy weekend!
To start with, right now IS NOT a great time to burn!! Unless you have the knowledge, resources, and personnel to conduct, and extinguish it, safely!

On March 28th, at 13:27, ARFD was dispatched for a grass fire off of CO RD 207. Due to limited manpower, Squires Volunteer Fire Department was requested for mutual aid, and City of Ava Fire Department -Missouri was requested for standby for coverage of ours and SVFD’s district.
We responded with Brush 1; crew of 3, and 1 POV. Units arrived to find a controlled burn that had gotten into sage grass and spread. Fire was quickly extinguished and all ARFD returned to service at 14:52.
(First 2 pictures)

On March 28th, at 15:56, ARFD was dispatched for a boat on fire on 5 Highway, south of Ava, that was being towed down the highway.
Several SVFD members were traveling in the area when this occurred, and got us a scene size up and stayed to assist with fire attack.
We responded with Engine 1; crew of 2, Tanker 2; crew of 1; Brush 2; crew of 1; and 1 POV. The fire was confined to the boat. A huge thank you to Douglas County Mo Sheriff deputies for conducting traffic control until we were able to assume traffic control operations after the fire was out. All ARFD returned to service at 17:30
(Pictures 3-7)

On March 29th, at 13:18, ARFD was requested for a tanker for mutual aid to Mansfield, Missouri Fire Department for an outbuilding fire with extension to a residence. We responded with Engine 2; crew of 3, Tanker 2, crew of 3; and Brush 2; crew of 2. We assisted with overhaul on the structure, and fire attack on a brush fire caused by the initial fire.
Thank you to CoAFD for covering our district! All ARFD returned to service at 15:10
(Pictures 8-9)

On March 29th, at 19:48, ARFD was dispatched for was wildland fire off of Co Rd 533, initial reports were a small trash and woods fire. We responded with Brush 1; crew of 1, Brush 2; crew of 3, Brush 3; crew of 3, and 1 POV. First arriving units found extensive fire, but the true extent was not truly known. We began fire attack, putting in hand lines with backpack blowers and rakes. As the extent of the fire was further determined, CoAFD and SVFD were requested for manpower and apparatus. Crews worked on rough terrain until approximately 01:00, when command called it. Crews will regroup and make contact with Missouri Dept. of Conservation later this morning, hopefully between 07:00-08:00, to develop a game plan for the days efforts. MDC will be bringing in a dozer to cut through thick slash and brush that was not able to be gotten through with hand lines. Crews will further establish fire lines to get all the way around the fire. No estimate on acres or containment as of yet.
All ARFD returned to service at 01:57 on March 30th.
(Videos will be posted separately)

We are proud to serve the citizens of our community.
We are so very grateful for the assistance of our neighboring agencies, and are always glad to return the favor!

03/27/2026

At 11:09 this morning, ARFD was dispatched for a brush fire. Due to the heat, dry fuels, and wind conditions, City of Ava Fire Department -Missouri and Squires Volunteer Fire Department were immediately requested for standby, or to respond at their discretion. CoAFD stood by at their station for coverage or a response, SVFD responded.
Due to the location of the fire, and our growing working relationship, Mansfield, Missouri Fire Department was requested for a brush truck shortly after initial dispatch.
An SVFD POV arrived to find a trash fire that had been contained. After this on scene report,all units were reduced, and all mutual aid response was canceled, CoAFD remained on standby. One apparatus from SVFD continued response due to close proximity to the scene.
We responded with Brush 1; crew of 1, Brush 2; crew of 1, Brush 3; crew of 1; Tanker 1; crew of 1(canceled prior to arrival), and Tanker 2; crew of 1.
All ARFD returned to service at 13:00

We want to say a big thank you to our mutual aid departments for their willingness to help!

Finally we would also like to remind everyone that even though it’s starting to green up, we are still extremely dry, and it will take a lot of rain to change that, burning is discouraged right now, however if you do decide to burn, please stay with the fire until it is completely out and cool. Even small embers can cause large issues.