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DISASTERS

Wildfires burning around South as drought worsens

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Brad Lang, a firefighter with the Alabama Forestry Commission, sets a backfire to help extinguish a wildfire near Brookside, Ala., on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. Wildfires have burned hundreds of acres a day in the South as a drought worsens across much of the region. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves) (The Associated Press)

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    Alabama Forestry Commission firefighters Jim Junkin, left, and Brad Lang talk about strategies for fighting a wildfire near Brookside, Ala., on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. Wildfires are burning hundreds of acres of land daily across the South amid a drought. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves) (The Associated Press)

BROOKSIDE, Ala. – Wildfires are charring hundreds of acres daily in the South amid a worsening drought, and no rain is in sight.

Fires this week have burned acreage in communities around Birmingham, Alabama. Officials say fires also are causing problems in northwest Georgia.

Forestry officials say rain is the answer, but substantial storms aren't predicted in short-term forecasts.

The latest federal statistics show the entire Southeast is locked in a severe drought, and forecasters say no substantial rainfall is predicted.

Wildfires have burned more than 12,000 acres statewide in Alabama in the last 30 days.

Authorities suspect simple carelessness caused some of the blazes, while others could be arson.

The state has banned outdoor fires across a wide area of the state, and Georgia has stopped issuing burn permits in some counties.