States of Emergency Declared as Late Season Wildfires Burn Out of Control

Above normal temperatures, gusty winds, and ongoing drought conditions in Texas, the South, portions of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and the Mid-Atlantic have led to increasing wildfire danger in many states.

As a result, many states have already declared or are preparing to declare a state of emergency to deal with numerous wildfires that are consuming thousands of acres of forestland. Many wildfires are in areas not reachable by foot—requiring aviation support—and are continuing to grow in size and intensity, prompting little hope of quick containment.

The following articles provide state-specific coverage of the fires:

• Alabama: Forestry Commission Battling Over 140 Wildfires Due to Dry Conditions
• Georgia: Georgia Forestry Says Dry Conditions Put Northwest Georgia in High Fire Danger
• Kentucky: Harlan County Declares State of Emergency Due to Wildfires
• North Carolina: Officials in North Carolina Declare State of Emergency as Wildfires Burn Hundreds of Acres
• Tennessee: Cherokee National Forest Fighting Fire Near Etowah
• Virginia: Virginia Dept. of Forestry Reporting Some Three-Dozen Wildfires Through the Commonwealth
• Virginia: Madison County Wildfire Spreads to Nearly 2,500 Acres, Including Part of Shenandoah Natl. Park