Evacuations have been ordered in six North Carolina mountain counties as at least 20 wildfires continue to burn.
The grueling fight against the fires now involves fire crews from five states.
Relentless drought and record heat in the Southeast have made conditions all too ripe for fire.
In all, tens of thousands of acres have burned in North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama, with arson being the suspected cause in the majority of the blazes.
There is no sign of relief in the forecast. Warm temperatures are expected to continue across the region. A front late this week could bring stronger winds, and in many areas there is no chance of rain until after Thanksgiving.
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