Largest fire in Shawnee Forest history contained

The largest documented fire ever on the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois was contained by Wednesday evening, Nov. 10.

The U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire in southwestern Jackson County had been 100 percent contained as of 6 p.m. Nov. 10.

The Forest Service reported that the 409-acre fire was the largest ever documented on the Shawnee.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Since January, 53 fires have been reported on Shawnee National Forest lands or on national forest protected lands. The fires have covered areas totaling 1,094 acres.

National forest protected lands are those lands adjacent to national forest land that would endanger the national forest should a fire occur on them.

The Forest Service reported that downed trees resulting from a May 8, 2009, storm in Southern Illinois, as well as dry conditions, created a heavy fuel load that fed the Grassy Knob Fire.

The Forest Service also reported that an order which closed the Grassy Knob Fire area to the public was terminated Friday, Nov. 12, by Shawnee National Forest supervisor Allen Nicholas.

The Forest Service planned to continue to patrol and monitor the area until the next rain event. Light rain fell in parts of the area last Saturday.