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.

The Carty Fire has been declared contained by Mark Twain National Forest officials.

The wildland fire is on National Forest lands on Mark Twain National Forest’s Salem Ranger District, 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 fire had been burning since Friday, August 27, 2010 in heavy fuels created by a May 8, 2009 derecho storm that caused substantial wind damage in southern Missouri. More than 40,000 acres was affected by the storm, which blew down vast amounts of trees across public and private lands in this area.

“Firefighters made tremendous progress on the fire Tuesday,” said Jerry Soard, Carty Fire incident commander. “The light rains that fell on the fire Monday, and now again this morning, really helped us. Monday’s rain afforded us the opportunity to go direct, right up against the fire yesterday, and hook a line around it.”

“Today’s rain may have finished it off for us. We’ll check the fire this morning, then gather up and clean our firefighting equipment. We plan on releasing all assigned resources by noon today,” Soard said.

The final size of the fire is around 80 acres. Approximately 120 acres of unburned fuels remain between containment lines and the fire itself. However, these unburned fuels no longer pose a significant threat.

“To be sure, though, we’ll continue to monitor the fire for the next few days,” Soard said.

“Reynolds County roads 822 and 824 will be re-opened to public access at noon today,” said Mark Twain National Forest Salem District Ranger Thom Haines. “We really appreciate the help of County Commissioner Wayne Henson in temporarily closing these roads for us during fire suppression activities, as well as the assistance of the Northern Reynolds County Fire Protection District.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by USDA Forest Service.

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August 31, 2010–
“Firefighters made tremendous progress on the fire Monday,” said Mark Twain National Forest Salem District Ranger Thom Haines. “They were helped by a good soaking rain that fell on the fire late Monday morning and early afternoon.

The fire, now estimated at over 80 acres in size, became active again late afternoon when skies cleared and the sun came out. However, all fire activity is well within containment lines constructed over the weekend.” “The welcome rain has provided an opportunity for firefighters to directly attack the fire, putting out any hotspots that remain,” said Jerry Soard, Carty Fire incident commander. “With the rain, the threat to approximately 10 structures and residences north of the fire has been greatly reduced.”

Soard said 33 firefighters, two dozers and two fire engines, as well as support personnel, continue to work on the fire today. “We are re-evaluating the planned burnout operations for later this week in light of Monday’s rainfall,” Soard said. “There are 201 acres within our containment lines. There are about 120 acres of unburned fuels between those lines and the actual fire. These unburned fuels will remain a major concern for some time until we get more rain. The precipitation we received Monday helped immensely, but didn’t finish the job. We’ll need to keep and eye on this one for the foreseeable future.”

The fire is burning in heavy fuels created by a May 8, 2009 derecho storm that caused substantial wind damage in southern Missouri. Over 40,000 acres was affected by the storm, which blew down vast amounts of trees across public and private lands in this area.

Reynolds County roads 822 and 824 remain closed to all public access, and only emergency vehicles are allowed in the area. This is necessary to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. 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. Firefighters would appreciate the public’s cooperation in honoring this closure.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by USDA Forest Service.