Burning desires

T he overhead street lamps

begin to buzz, shining an orange glow over the small town of Huntsdale.

The sun has set just beyond the banks of the Missouri River, leaving a purple shadow in the sky. The day’s gusty winds remain strong, but their prevailing force won’t diminish the fire in Dallas Lancaster’s eyes.

It’s Burn Night.

He pulls a garden hose from out back to the front of his house as a precaution.

“Just in case the flames get out of hand,” he says.

Lancaster, who works in the maintenance department at Boone Hospital Center, has been surveying his own prairie burns for seven years. Every March, when winter’s barren branches show signs of life, the seven clusters of grass scattered across Lancaster’s yard are engulfed, one by one.

When yellow and in full bloom, the plants act as a natural barrier for the Main Street home. But out here in the country when it’s time to trim, Lancaster pulls out the matches.

“(The plants) are big enough to give some privacy, but at the same time allow us to sit and watch people pass by,” he says.

His first attempt at burning his bushes caught Lancaster by surprise.

“I was a bit nervous at first, with the size of the flames,” he says. “All it takes is one match.”

Lancaster, 54, waits for friends and neighbors to arrive before giving the go-ahead to the fire starter, his 13-year-old son, Cody.

“Everyone always wants to know when we will be burning,” the elder Lancaster says. “It’s something we look forward to every year. It keeps us entertained.”

The parking area fills with cars as 10 locals gather for the spectacle. The first plant is lit.

Within seconds, the flames gain total control of the dried mass, which stands 7 feet tall. A massive wall of heat forces its way out.

Like bugs attracted to light, the handful of humans stare at the fiery source. Conversations halt. Shadows enlarge and become more definitive as a burst of light shines.

“It’s awesome,” Cody says, as the flames rise toward the heavens.

The evening’s heavy wind causes the flames to spew debris and requires occasional spurts of water, but overall, it’s another successful burning.

The aftermath: seven heaps of burnt brush scattered through the yard.

“The brown spots stay for a couple days, but not long after do they begin to grow green,” Lancaster says.”