West Plains Fire & Rescue

09/04/2026

During a burn ban, please remember:

🚫 Do not burn trash, brush, leaves, or other debris. Always follow the specific restrictions in place for your area.

🔥 Avoid activities that produce open flames or sparks near dry grass and vegetation.

🚬 Properly dispose of ci******es and smoking materials. Never throw them from a vehicle or onto the ground.

🚗 Use caution with vehicles and trailers. Do not park vehicles on dry grass, and ensure trailer safety chains are properly secured and not dragging on the roadway, where they can create sparks.

🛠️ Use caution with outdoor equipment. Welding, grinding, mowing, and other equipment can produce sparks capable of starting a fire in dry conditions.

🏕️ Check before using fire pits, campfires, grills, or other outdoor cooking devices.

📞 Call 911 immediately if you see an uncontrolled fire. Early notification can make a significant difference in preventing a small fire from becoming a large wildfire.

Dry vegetation, low humidity, high temperatures, and windy conditions can cause fires to spread rapidly. Improper debris burning is a leading cause of wildfires in Missouri, and everyone plays a role in preventing them.

A burn ban is more than a restriction—it is a community safety measure. Please do your part to prevent fires and help keep our firefighters and community safe. 🚒🔥

09/03/2026

Good afternoon,

‼️EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY‼️

A burn ban has been placed into effect in Howell County including the City Of West Plains until further notice. DO NOT BURN!!

Fires will spread rapidly due to extremely dry conditions.

09/01/2026

The car seat check event has started at Station 2 on St. Louis Street. Be sure to stop in and get your car seat checked by a certified car seat tech!

08/30/2026

🚨 TRAINING UPDATE | WATER RESCUE OPERATIONS 🚨

Yesterday, members of the Region G All Hazards Response Team / Swift Water Rescue Team traveled to Udall in Ozark County to conduct hands-on training in boat operations and water rescue.

Training scenarios included:

🚤 Capsized Boat Operations – Practicing how to safely flip a capsized boat back into an operational position.

🛟 Boat-Based Rescue Operations – Training on rescuing individuals from a boat during an emergency.

🌊 Moving Water Boat Operations – Practicing how to safely maintain a stationary position in moving water, an essential skill when operating around swift or unpredictable currents.

This type of hands-on training is essential to maintaining the skills and proficiency needed to safely operate in challenging water environments. When an emergency occurs, our members must be prepared to respond quickly, work together, and operate safely under difficult conditions.

Training helps us provide the best possible service when our communities need us most.

Below are some photos from yesterday’s training operations. 📸

Region G All Hazards Response Team
Swift Water Rescue Team

08/20/2026

As promised, here’s the updated date for our FREE Car Seat Check Event!
Join us on September 1 from 5:00–7:00 PM at West Plains Fire Department Station 2. Our certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to inspect your child’s car seat, help make sure it is installed correctly, and answer any questions you may have.
No appointment is necessary—just stop by! We hope to see y’all there.

08/18/2026

🚒 FREE CAR SEAT CHECK EVENT 🚒

The West Plains Fire Department is hosting a FREE Car Seat Check Event to help ensure your child is riding as safely as possible.

👶 Our Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will:
✅ Inspect your child’s car seat
✅ Ensure it is installed correctly
✅ Answer any questions about proper car seat use and safety

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 20
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: West Plains Fire Department – Station 2
Saint Louis Street, West Plains, MO

A properly installed car seat can make all the difference in protecting your child during a crash. Whether you’re a new parent, have recently changed car seats, or just want peace of mind, we’re here to help.

No appointment is necessary—just stop by!

🚗 Install it right. Every ride. Every time.

Please like, share, and help spread the word so we can keep our community’s children safe! ❤️🚒

08/06/2026

Extreme heat continues across the Southwest as temperatures may top 120 degrees. The heat may expand across the West and south-central U.S. into the middle of the month. Severe thunderstorms capable of severe wind gusts and large hail will be the primary hazards today across the northern Plains into...

07/31/2026

#

HCEMA Alert:

Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued July 31 at 3:28PM CDT until July 31 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 536 IN
EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 16 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL MISSOURI

CAMDEN MARIES MILLER
MORGAN PULASKI

IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI

PHELPS

IN SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI

DENT HOWELL OREGON
SHANNON TEXAS

IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI

DOUGLAS LACLEDE OZARK
WEBSTER WRIGHT

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALTON, AURORA SPRINGS, AVA, BANGERT,
BENDAVIS, BIRCH TREE, CAMDENTON, COUCH, DARIEN, DAWSON,
DECATURVILLE, DOGWOOD, DUNCAN, ELDON, FORT LEONARD WOOD, GLADDEN,
GOODHOPE, GRAFF, GREER, HOWES, HUGGINS, JADWIN, LAKE OZARK,
LAKE SPRING, LAQUEY, LAURIE, LEBANON, LYNCHBURG, MANSFIELD,
MARSHFIELD, MONTIER, MOUNTAIN GROVE, NORTHVIEW, NORTHWYE,
OSAGE BEACH, PLATO, POMONA, POTTERSVILLE, ROACH, ROBY,
ROCKY MOUNT, ROGERSVILLE, ROLLA, ROME, SALEM, SEYMOUR,
SILOAM SPRINGS, SOUTH FORK, SQUIRES, STOVER, TERESITA, THAYER,
THOMASVILLE, VANZANT, VERSAILLES, VICHY, VILLAGE OF FOUR SEASONS,
WASOLA, WAYNESVILLE, WEST PLAINS, WHITE CHURCH, WILDERNESS,
AND WINONA.
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Dangerous and extreme heat will remain across portions of the southern U.S. through the weekend. A heat wave over the Southwest U.S. will intensify this week, peaking and expanding into the Intermountain West and northern High Plains this weekend. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will produce heavy....

07/31/2026

Information from the National Weather Service Springfield MO.

07/31/2026

Good afternoon everyone, we have the potential for strong to severe storms moving into the area this evening. We will be posting updates as soon as we get them.