Tagged: Mark Twain National Forest

Officials in southwestern Missouri say a fire in the Mark Twain National Forest has been mostly contained after charring more than 1,200 acres.

About 25 homes were evacuated after the fire began Thursday. Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle says it started when a farmer's brush-clearing equipment hit a rock and created a spark. Kyle says one structure was damaged.

Federal officials say two fires in southern Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest have been contained, but new ones have broken out.

The Forest Service said Tuesday that mop-up operations are under way at the 622-acre East End Fire near the Iron County town of Bixby. Arson is suspect in that blaze, which broke out last Thursday.