Mo. officials report 20 suspected arson wildfires

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State conservation officials suspect arson in about 20 wildfires near the Truman Reservoir in west-central Missouri in the past week.

The Department of Conservation said the fires burned more than 1,000 acres of public and private land. No injuries or structural losses have been reported, but officials said wildfires can cause significant harm and that fighting them costs money and puts people at risk.

The conservation agency said crews have fought about 50 fires this year in Henry and St. Clair counties that have burned about 3,000 acres.

Officials are urging people to report any suspicious activity that could be related to intentionally set fires.