Wildfire in Missouri, November 18 to 21, 1999

Winds gusting in excess of 40 mph along with afternoon humidity less than 25% on the 18th provided a high fire danger environment. A number of accidental and arson created fires developed over central and southern Missouri by early afternoon on the 18th.From the 18th through the 21st, fires burned 1500 acres in the western sections of the Mark Twain National Forest. Eleven suspected arson fires also burned 1100 acres near Salem in Dent County. Other large fires of over 1000 acres occurred near Roby in northern Texas County and near Fort Leonard Wood in southern Pulaski County.Numerous other smaller fires started over the area on the 18th and continued for two to three days until they were considered under control. The intensity and magnitude of these fires were unusual for the area. Although most of the fires were confined to grassland and near surface material, the high winds and dry conditions caused by several months of below normal rainfall caused some larger scale fires with the burning of larger trees.