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Firefighters are battling a forest fire in the Wayne

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IRONTON, Ohio (WOUB/Report for America) — The Kimble Complex Fire is burning across 1,300 acres in the Ironton Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest.

A Forest Service sign states that the fire danger is high
[U.S. Forest Service]
The U.S. Forest Service has urged the public to keep clear of the area while firefighters work to control the situation.

Zack Frank of the Wayne National Forest said low humidity and unseasonably warm weather have raised the risk of wildfires substantially.

“It’s particularly dry,” he explained. “It’s kind of a perfect scenario for wildfires.”

Notable fires are also burning in West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee because of the dryness and high temperatures.

Firefighters are hoping that projected rainfall Friday creates an opportunity to put out the flames.

For now, residents should steer clear of the area and not try to investigate for themselves.

“It’s much easier for us to manage the situation on the ground if we’re not also managing traffic,” said Frank.

He said firefighters don’t expect the fire to reach any major residential areas, but that the Forest Service is prepared should things escalate.

Concerned residents can find updates about the fire on the Wayne National Forest’s Facebook page.

No information is currently available on how the fire may have started. The Forest Service plans to conduct an investigation once the blaze is under control.