Wildfires rage across the South

Wildfires have consumed about 80,000 acres in the South, where about 5,000 firefighters and support personnel are working to control the blazes. Under drought conditions, the Tennessee Valley Authority issued a burn ban on public lands in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama. Officials in some areas are even warning against parking cars on the grass for fear hot tailpipes could ignite leaves on the ground. As firefighters battle the blazes, area churches are stepping up to support them. Liberty Baptist Church in Rabun County, Ga., is making care packets for the firefighters with cough drops, eye wash, and hand sanitizing wipes. Two men were arrested Monday on arson charges in Tennessee. Officials are investigating other fires as also arson-related.

WORLD Radio’s Mary Reichard contributed to this report.