ROLLA, Missouri – As of 3 pm Monday, July 30, 2012, Mark Twain National Forest firefighters are working to suppress a wildfire, named the Potato Cave fire, in Ozark County, about 9 miles southeast of Dora, Missouri.

The wildfire cause is under investigation, but it appears likely that it was started by a lightning strike.
Currently burning in about 400 acres, the wildfire is in an area of heavy blowdown fuels left from a 2010 tornado.

“Heavy fuels, steep and rough terrain, and hot, dry weather conditions are making this fire difficult to control,” said Mark Twain National Forest Fire Manager Jody Eberly.

Firefighters have created a containment line on county and private roads and across National Forest lands. The fire is all on National Forest lands but is expected to burn onto some private lands as part of the suppression strategy. The Incident Commander is working with affected landowners.

US Forest Service fire helicopter taking off to fight the fire near Dora

Canoeing on the North Fork River is not affected at the current time. Outfitters are still able to use traditional put-in and take-out points.

Tonight, there may be a burn-out operation occurring along County Roads 365 and 368. Eberly said about a mile section of each of these roads may be closed for 1-4 hours during that burn-out operation to ensure firefighter and public safety.

“Full containment of this wildfire is not expected until later this week,” Eberly said. Residents can expect to see active fire and smell or see smoke in this area for several days.

“Please do not travel to the fire vicinity if you do not live in the area,” Eberly said. “This is potentially a dangerous situation for firefighters and the public.”

For updated info about Mark Twain National Forest go to www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain or contact your local Mark Twain National Forest office.