Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism

A raging fire has destroyed or heavily damaged an estimated 23 structures in the village of Wooldridge and burned more than 3,000 acres in the surrounding area.

The fire began Saturday afternoon in Wooldridge, which is in Cooper County, after a combine ignited a field it was harvesting. The flames spread from just south of Wooldridge to I-70.

Flames spread quickly due to high wind speeds and low humidity, and moved into land belonging to the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

In the seven days since a wildfire razed about half of Wooldridge, the village's residents have spent time searching. The McComb family, who lost their home, dog and two birds in the Saturday blaze, sifted through ash in search of their wedding rings. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler visited on Wednesday to examine the wreckage and promise support for the recovery effort. Part of their search was to determine whether the fire caused enough devastation to merit a federal disaster declaration. Wooldridge residents have found plenty of damage: The town's streets are now scattered with burnt car frames and 23 ruined structures.