SALEM, Va. (AP) - Officials hope rain will extinguish immediate concerns about wildfires in southwestern Virginia.
Ed Stoots of Virginia's Forestry Department says most fires are out after weeks of work by fire crews. He said rain expected through Wednesday night could fully resolve current worries.
Since mid-October, fire crews have battled 160 blazes that have burned nearly 5,400 acres. More than 400 homes and structures were saved, although four homes and 22 structures suffered damage.
Virginia is one of several southern states that have been plagued by forest fires this fall. The blazes have been fueled by drought and caused by humans, either accidentally or intentionally.
