Hundreds of acres burn in Missouri forest

ROLLA, Mo. (AP) - Firefighters say it could be later this week before they fully contain a wildfire in the Mark Twain National Forest in south-central Missouri.

The U.S. Forest Service says about 400 acres were burning Monday afternoon about nine miles southeast of the Ozark County town of Dora. Officials believe it was caused by lightning.

Mark Twain National Forest Fire Manager Jody Eberly says the hot, dry weather combined with steep terrain is making the work difficult. The fire is in an area with large amounts of wood and other debris left over from a 2010 tornado.

The fire is burning on National Forest land but officials said parts of some private lands may be affected. Canoeing on the North Fork River has not been interrupted.