Mark Twain National Forest Continues to Burn Hundreds of Acres

DORA, Mo. -- Firefighters are working to surround the fire burning in the Mark Twain National Forest near Dora, Mo., in northern Ozark County.

The fire started Friday when lightning struck the Potato Cave Hollow area. The flames began in some tornado debris left behind from 2010.

A spokesperson for the Mark Twain National Forest says 30 firefighters are working on burnout operations. They're trying to surround the fire, ultimately allowing it to burn itself out.

Monday night, crews will work on the west side of the fire near County Road 365 and on the east side near the Rainbow Springs area. Helicopters have been dropping water on the flames in an attempt to extinguish them.

Monte Shipley, chief of the Dora Volunteer Fire Department, estimates 1,100 acres will be burned before the fire is out. Shipley's department is assisting the National Forest Service in battling the fire.

  
                                             (photo courtesy: Kenneth Warren)