U.S. Forest Service firefighters are trying to put out a wildfire burning on Mark Twain National Forest in southwest Missouri. Cody Norris, a Forest Service spokesman, told Missourinet the fire is growing in the Cassville and Roaring River State Park area.
“Crews responded to and sized it up to about 50 acres,” said Norris. “It’s somewhere probably between 200 or 300 acres at this point. When all is said and done, we’re expecting it to grow to probably a little over 1,000 acres.”
According to Norris, about 30 U.S. Forest Service firefighters are trying to put out the flames. The initial cause of the fire is unknown.
“I heard reports that it was multiple starts along the roadway. So that definitely leads me to believe it’s human caused. You know, it’ll be under investigation to determine whether that was vehicular or arson or whatnot,” said Norris.
Norris said there are currently no buildings at risk of being damaged or destroyed.
“It’s not anywhere near a big city,” He said. “It’s actually a little bit just South of Roaring River State Park. This is all on National Forest Service land and there’s no structures at risk at this point.”
The fire is expected to produce smoke visible from the nearby towns and Roaring River State Park for at least a couple days.
“With the fall leaves falling down and they’ve cured pretty well, we’ve kind of been in a light drought condition and we’re in what we would call a moderate fire danger, just on the cusp of high. So we’re right at that level where we’re going to start seeing some wildfire activity,” said Norris.
He asks the public for a favor.
“You know, anyone who lives in that area knows it’s hilly and curvy roads, so please drive slow through that area. If you encounter smoke, turn on your headlights if you can. Avoid driving near the fire…that’s the best thing. We appreciate any hunters that did get out of the area to allow firefighting operations to commence safely,” said Norris.
Norris said firefighters hope to have the flames out sometime Tuesday afternoon.
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