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Brush Fires Break-Out Over Weekend

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We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but did you know that when the leaves fall, firefighters are on call?

More than a dozen brush fires we reported in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio on Sunday.

Around 12:45 p.m., a brush fire took place out in Long Bottom in Meigs County.

The fire burned up to 100 acres but no buildings were in danger.  

A firefighter lost his bearings and was found uninjured after wandering in the woods for a couple of hours after dark.

Deputy Chief Greg Wright of Ashland, Kentucky Fire Department says the leaves and dry conditions make brush fires a possibility.

"It's for the dry season and a lot of leaves are drying and falling out and piling up and any spark or something can get it started and grow a lot quicker than the season in the woods when the leaves are green," says Wright.

Other brush fires were reported in Lawrence County, Windsor Township, Rome Township, and Union Township.

"It's a little bit harder to catch those on fire than a dry leaf that's fallen on the ground.  It's the dry season with a lot of wood and leaves that are dried out.  It gives them fuel to burn.  So a little spark might not have started before, but this kind of season it's prevalent for getting brush bursts.  You got a lot of hunters out this time of year, too, and smoking, you know, discarding a cigarette you need to make sure they're out.  If they're out camping while they're hunting they need to make sure their campfires are completely out before they leave the area.  Just common sense while you're out in the woods," says Wright.