Wildfire & Burn Bans
Shannon County is one of the most wildfire-prone settings in Missouri — heavily forested, with homes scattered among the woods of the Mark Twain National Forest. The great majority of our wildfires are human-caused.
Current burn-ban status: No burn ban.
Always check conditions and follow local guidance before any open burning.
Two fire seasons
Risk peaks in late winter through early spring (roughly late February to mid-April) and again in late summer and fall. Careless debris burning and discarded ashes are leading causes.
Protect your home
- Keep a defensible space — clear leaves, needles, and brush from around the house, roof, and gutters.
- Burn only when conditions are safe and never leave a fire unattended; have water and a tool on hand.
- Know two ways out of your property in case you must evacuate.
Report fires early
Call 911 for any wildfire. Response comes from our local volunteer fire departments, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the U.S. Forest Service on national-forest land.