KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) -- Fire crews from North Carolina and Georgia are in Missouri this weekend trying to keep a large fire in the Mark Twain National Forest from getting out of control.
Three fires at the forest in south-central Missouri began Wednesday, and forest officials believe they are the work of an arsonist. The biggest of the blazes is around 5,000 acres, thought to be the largest ever fire in the Mark Twain.
About half an inch of rain fell Thursday night, slowing the fire a little, but with dry conditions expected for the weekend crews were hoping to keep it under control until more rain falls next week.
Forest Ranger Thom Haines says he thinks the fires were started by residents unhappy with absentee landowners who won't allow hunters on their land.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG