Updated September 1, 2010
Mark Twain National Forest firefighters, assisted by personnel from North Reynolds County Fire Protection District, made significant progress August 30 and 31 on the Carty Fire, but needed rain made the crucial difference in getting the fire under control, according to USFS officials.

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 [...]

by Jo Schaper
Mark Twain National Forest road closures in the Otter Creek/Twin Ponds area are currently being called to task via a letter-writing campaign to Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson. Douglas Oliver, District Ranger of the Poplar Bluff Ranger District, says the work is progressing but that proper procedure and notification were followed.
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Mark Twain National Forest is offering the first annual “Back to School” fee waiver weekend at four recreation areas on August 14 and 15, 2010. The fee-free weekend aims to encourage activities on national forests and other green spaces that promote healthy living and mental well being, and to instill excitement for the outdoors as [...]

Eleven Point Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is accepting project proposals that would enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality on Mark Twain National Forest and nearby Oregon, Ripley, and Shannon county lands.
Eleven Point RAC will hold a meeting on July 15, 2010 at 6:30 pm at Twin Pines Conservation Education [...]

SALEM, Mo. – Mark Twain National Forest’s Sutton Bluff Campground, on Salem Ranger District in Reynolds County, will be closed for renovation and improvements beginning Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Improvements will enhance accessibility, upgrade amenities, and provide more opportunities for camping near the West Fork of the Black River west of Centerville, Missouri.

Although the ideal way to get outdoors is with as little cost as possible, someone has to pay the bill for even modest upkeep on state and federal facilities. On National Forests, this often takes the form of a small day use or camping fee per car.
Mark Twain National Forest will have two days [...]

Alan Young of the ORCC sent us this note:
The May 14th-16th ORCC event will be held at the Paddy Creek Recreation Area. This campground is in the Mark Twain National Forest. This is a beautiful area with great streams to float and wade fish (Paddy Creek & Big Piney River).
This event was previously scheduled [...]

From today to this Friday, 14 volunteers will assist Forest Service staff in rehabbing Falling Spring Mill and cabin in Oregon County.
“Both the single crib log cabin and mill structure with Pelton wheel have experienced decay and need maintenance and
stabilization,” said Ken Hicks, a Forest Service spokesman. Doug Stephens, Mountain Heritage Association, will supervise [...]

Mark Twain National Forest is looking for ten volunteers, at least 18 yrs of age, to help stabilize two historic structures on Eleven Point Ranger District April 18-24, 2010, including weekends.
Falling Spring Mill is a late 19th Century, early 20th century Ozark homestead just northwest of the Irish Wilderness, the largest wilderness area in southern [...]