5-mile long wildfire breaks out in St. Joseph, Missouri

St. Joseph wildfire prompts evacuations

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for part of St. Joseph because of a 5-mile long wildfire that broke out Sunday afternoon.

People have been ordered out of homes along Elwood Street in St. Joseph, and firefighters want people to stay away from an area between Wyeth Hill south to River Front Park downtown.

The St. Joseph Frontier Casino has also been closed.

Those forced to evacuate can go to the American Red Cross for shelter at 401 N. 12th St.

People in the area said the fire started in Elwood, Kansas, and jumped the Missouri River into St. Joseph, Missouri, where Elwood Street is being threatened. It has already burned hundreds of acres and firefighters said they expect it to burn all night.

Concerns about brush fires have been up in recent days because of warm temperatures, low humidity and gusty wind.

Firefighters said grass fires usually start when outdoor burning gets out of hand.

"They think 'Well, it's a nice calm day out. I'll go and light this off to burn off the field,' and all of a sudden the wind kicks up and it get's really out of control," said Eric Allen of the Overland Park Fire Department.