Area firefighters worked overtime this past weekend responding to several natural cover fires. Southern Stone County Fire Chief Charlie Neubert tells Hometown Radio News...

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Crews responded Monday afternoon to a rekindled brush fire near Turtle Cove that eventually burned 18 acres of Mark Twain National Forest. That fire currently is classified as suspicious.

Neubert asks residents to use extreme caution while burning brush and trash, especially in the weeks and months ahead, which typically are referred to as "brush fire season" because of high winds and the large amount of brush created during the winter. Have a source of water available, and never leave a fire before you're absolutely certain it is out.