The 2009 massive blow-down of trees that damaged more than
100,000 acres of forestlands in Missouri is making firefighting
efforts slow-going on the 5,000-acre fire in Mark Twain National
Forest in southern Dent County.
Mark Twain National Forest Salem District Ranger Thom Haines said
rainfall Thursday helped firefighters contain several suspected
arson fires in the Salem Ranger District, but no timeframe is
predicted for completing the firefighting efforts there.
"Heavy fuels can contribute to increased intensity and extreme fire
behavior, especially on days like we experienced earlier this
week," Haines said. "We're carefully monitoring conditions to make
sure wild fires stay in their containment areas."
Haines said the 2009 blow-down of trees in the national forest is
making firefighting efforts a whole new ballgame.
"An average fire in the Mark Twain National Forest is usually about
60 acres," Haines said Friday. "We're praying for a lot of rain the
first part of the week."
About a half-inch of rain Thursday fell in the vicinity of the
fires, increasing leaf fall. National Weather Service forecasts
show a drying trend over the weekend.
The largest wild fire, the Minninghaw Fire, estimated at 5,000
acres in size, started Tuesday. It is located in southern Dent
County near the Shannon County line, about seven miles west of
Bunker. It is burning with heavy fuels created by the May 2009
derecho wind event.
As of 10:30 a.m. Thursday, a fire line had been established around
the entire fire perimeter.
Salem Ranger District had two other suspected arson wild fires on
Wednesday one wild fire was five acres, and a second wild fire was
approximately 310 acres in size. Both have containment lines
established around them.
Two twenty-person hand crews, one from North Carolina and a second
from Georgia, arrived Thursday and reported to Salem Friday
morning. These resources will provide Mark Twain National Forest
additional help and afford rotation of firefighters who have been
fighting the wildfires since mid-afternoon Tuesday.
Currently, there are more than 50 firefighters, three bulldozers
and four engines assigned to the wild fires.
No homes are immediately threatened.
Additional law enforcement personnel are assigned to patrol and
investigate the wild fires.
"We really need the help of the public. If anyone has any
information on who set these fires, please let us know," Haines
said.
To report information, contact Mark Twain National Forest Salem
Ranger District Office at 573-729-6656 or the toll free arson
hotline at 1-800-392-1111.
City of Salem officials Wednesday were briefed on the status of
wildfires being fought by Forest Service Firefighters in Northern
Arkansas and Southern Missouri, according to a news released from
the city. Forest Service requested and was approved for
authorization to set up a command post at the Salem Memorial
Airport.
National Forest Service aircraft, equipment and personnel will be
on site at the airport as long as is necessary to bring the
wildfires in the area under control. For more information contact
the City of Salem Administrative Offices at 729-4811.
