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Fire near Branson finally contained after burning 1600 acres

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By West Kentucky Star staff
Oct. 31, 2024 | BRANSON
By West Kentucky Star staff Oct. 31, 2024 | 09:14 PM | BRANSON
THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE:
Rain helped Missouri and out-of-state firefighters contain a forest fire that had been burning since Monday in the Mark Twain National Forest northeast of Branson.

The fire began along the Glade Top Trail in Douglas County on Monday night.

According to the U.S. Forest Service on Thursday afternoon, the fire is 100 percent contained. The fire was mapped on Thursday at a total of 1,611 acres in size.

Personnel will continue to monitor it over the next couple of days for any recurring hot spots. They also warn that some of the trees that were killed could fall over on roads and trails.


THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE:
Some welcome rain this morning and an influx of additional fire crews from out of state on Wednesday has helped keep Missouri's Sugar Fire from spreading through more of the Mark Twain National Forest northeast of Branson.

The U.S. Forest Service said the fire was 75 percent contained as of Wednesday evening. They believe it could be 90 percent contained by the end of the day.

The total size of the fire is said to have held steady at about 1500 acres affected.

The fire reportedly burned a mixed terrain of cedar, brush and grass in the glades, which could produce heavy smoke over the next few days.

No structures have been lost, according to officials, and affected livestock was evacuated earlier.

More resources, including several out-of-state crews, arrived on Wednesday. Crews from Montana and California joined the fight. They left other wildfires in Michigan and Oklahoma to help.


WEDNESDAY UPDATE:
Gusty winds and drought conditions continue to hamper efforts to contain the Sugar Fire in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest.

On the third day of the fire, out-of-state fire crews have been called in to assist local firefighters.

Law enforcement had to evacuate homeowners and livestock Tuesday from the affected area that approached 1500 acres, much of which is comprised of open grassy areas.

The residents were later allowed to return with a warning to be alert that the fire was still burning.

Containment efforts include intentionally burning strips of dry grass and brush ahead of the fire to stop its progress.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Forest Service said the fire was 60 percent contained.

The fire broke out Monday in Douglas County between Branson and Ava. About 1,500 acres were eventually involved as crews battled the blaze overnight and all day Tuesday.

Early Tuesday morning, the Forest Service had estimated the fire to be 600 acres, but was only 5 percent contained.

Their efforts were complicated by 25-mph wind gusts, as well as ongoing drought conditions and dry cedars and brush.


ORIGINAL STORY:
Missouri fire crews spent Monday night battling a large fire in the Mark Twain National Forest just northeast of Branson.

The fire broke out along the Glade Top Trail about 12 miles southwest of Ava, Missouri in Douglas County.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire reported Monday evening is being fueled mainly by downed cedar trees and dry grasses. Conditions are compounded by severe drought that has plagued all of southwest and central Missouri since this summer.

Officials warn that the fire will produce heavy smoke that will impact drivers and visitors for a few days.

The fire has been named the Sugar Fire.

More details will be gathered and issued after daylight on Tuesday.



(Photo: U.S. Forest Service)
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