Photos courtesy of Dora Volunteer Fire Department
Containment lines are in place following Saturday’s wildfire in Ozark County. The U.S. Forest Service posted Sunday on Facebook its fire fighters will be continuing activities to make certain the fire in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness area of the Mark Twain National Forest stays contained.
According to another Facebook post from the Dora Volunteer Fire Department, fire fighters responded just before 1:30 Saturday morning. A hiker was reportedly camping in the Devil’s Backbone area and woke up to discover his tent on fire and the surrounding area alight. The victim was able to escape his tent and contact Ozark County Dispatch.
The Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department and a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper were also dispatched to the area. The hiker’s vehicle was located at the McGarr Hollow Trailhead off Missouri Route CC. A Howell County deputy reportedly located the fire with a drone, and a ground team made contact with the hiker. He had lost most of his supplies and equipment and was using fire, which had spread to several acres, as a means to stay warm and mark his location. The hiker was checked out by EMS and chose to continue his adventures in an alternate location.
Trails in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness remain closed for safety. Residents and visitors are being asked to continue avoiding the area.
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