The Columbus Fire Department and the Columbus Rural Fire Protection District would like to take a moment to remind everyone to be extremely cautious when using any sort of device that produces a flame and when discarding cigarettes.
The dry weather conditions along with the winds create critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service currently has Platte County in a Fire Weather Warning - the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures creates an explosive fire growth potential.
At around 4:23 hours on Sunday, September 9th, 2012 the Columbus Fire Department responded to a grass fire in Pawnee Park East just south of the water tower. It is believed that the fire may have been caused by hot coals from a park grill.
Due to the extremely hot and dry conditions please exercise extreme caution not only on city property but near your homes and property when using anything that could produce any sort of fire potential.