Mark Twain Forest News Release – August 30
A wildland fire is burning in heavy fuels on National Forest lands on Salem Ranger District, Mark Twain National Forest, approximately 3 miles west of Black, Missouri. Black is approximately 40 miles southeast of Salem, Missouri, and approximately 6 miles west of Johnson Shut-ins State Park

The wildfire, now estimated at well over 50 acres in size, was discovered Friday morning, August 28, 2010 by Reynolds County Sheriff’s office.

“The Carty Fire is burning in heavy fuels created by a May 2009 storm event that caused substantial wind damage in the southern Missouri area,” said Salem District Ranger Thom Haines. “The fire has established itself in the center of this blow down, and a lot of this down timber has cured sufficiently enough to burn.”

More than 30 firefighters are currently assigned to the fire, including firefighters from the North Reynolds County Fire Protection District.

“The Fire Protection District did a great job on the initial attack on the fire Friday morning,” Haines said. “About two dozen Forest Service personnel from other Mark Twain National Forest ranger districts; three dozers, and three fire engines were assigned to the fire over the weekend. An additional 20-person Forest Service hand crew arrived early this morning.”

An estimated 10 structures and residences remain threatened.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by USDA Forest Service. Updates on this fire are available at the Mark Twain Forest website.

Haines said fire suppression forces have been hampered by the amount of blow down timber, high temperatures, and low humidity.

“Forest Service and Fire Protection District personnel worked hard over the weekend to complete containment lines around the wildfire,” Haines said. “Firefighters will be further improving those fire lines today in anticipation of possible burnout operations later this week.”

Higher humidity and the possibility of rain this week should decrease fire activity and help firefighters put this fire out.

“There is a significant amount of fire-related traffic in the area,” Haines said. “To provide for firefighter and public safety, Reynolds County Northern District Commissioner Wayne Henson has closed County roads 822 and 824 to all public access, and only emergency vehicles are allowed in the area. Reynolds County 822 extends from Highway “J” near Brown Cemetery to Forest Service Road 2233, also known Karkaghne Drive. County Road 824 at the Forest Boundary past the Black River Youth Ranch is also closed to public access. This road ties into County 824 from the east. We would appreciate the public’s cooperation in this honoring this closure. We will re-open these roads when conditions improve.”

Jerry Soard, Carty fire incident commander, cautioned people to be especially careful with fire during the upcoming holiday weekend.

“We are going to see high fire danger conditions until we get a significant rainfall event,” Soard said. “People need to be extra careful with any burning they want to do until we get some precipitation.”