NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Drought Increases Risk Of Wildfires

Drought Increases Risk Of Wildfires

JASPER, Tenn. - Wednesday is the first day of the traditional wildfire season, but the recent drought has already sparked more Tennessee and Georgia fires this year than in all of 2006.

Tuesday, a fire scorched more than 140 acres in Marion County.

Firefighter records show east Tennessee has been hardest hit in summer 2007 with more than 23,000 acres lost to wildfires.

A burn ban has been issued around the region.

Anyone in violation of the ban could be fined up to $25,000.