US wildfires keep firefighters busy overnight

Virginia -   Firefighters across the state continued to battle massive wildfires last night, a day after windy conditions fueled dozens of blazes in Virginia, leading local governments to declare states of emergency. Crews were keeping an eye on affected areas yesterday. The drought and low humidity mean there is a high risk of fires reoccurring.

Six homes have been reported destroyed, including three in Dinwiddie County. Localities have not reported any deaths or major injuries as a result of the fires. The Department of Forestry said two firefighters were injured yesterday but did not specify where.

Wildfires forced 12 counties to declare local states of emergency Sunday. They were Bedford, Caroline Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico, King George, Louisa, Lunenburg, Nelson, Orange, Roanoke and Spotsylvania.

Local and state officials say they believe most of the fires may have been ignited by fallen trees hitting power lines. It is possible some were accidentally or intentionally set, said John Campbell, a Forestry Department spokesman.

North Carolina’s Forestry Service had cited two people on allegations of starting fires in Hoke County. Nearly 57 warnings also had been issued, mostly for improper debris burning, Haines said. Some fires were attributed to fallen power lines.