SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (WBC/DANA COMM.) — A wildfire that started late Tuesday afternoon in the Fountain Bluff area of the Shawnee National Forest has now consumed 33 acres. According to the U.S. Forest Service, they are overseeing incident operations.

Fire resources on scene Thursday consisted of 17 firefighters from Forest Service units in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Oregon working alongside Shawnee National Forest firefighters. Objectives for the incident are to protect fire fighter and public safety, natural and cultural resources, infrastructure, and private property. On Wednesday, fire crews established control lines on the south and east sides of the fire by clearing small trees and brush, and extinguishing spot fires as it spilled over the bluff on the north and west sides of the fire. Firefighters Thursday patrolled along the top of Fountain Bluff as well as the Fountain Bluff Road beneath the bluff.

Vehicles traveling in the Gorham area should slow down when encountering emergency vehicles.

The fire is not expected to grow with wet weather in the area.