Wildfires Blanket Southeast Skies, Burn Thousands of Acres as Extreme Drought Settles in the Region

States of emergency were declared in Tennessee and North Carolina.

ByABC News
November 11, 2016, 3:20 PM

— -- More than 30 large wildfires are blanketing the skies in the Southeast, burning through thousands of acres, as an overwhelming drought settles in the region. According to The Associated Press, many fires are being investigated for suspected arson.

Most of the wildfires span from northeast Alabama to eastern Kentucky, across the hills and mountains of the Southern Appalachians between Tennessee and North Carolina. The fires come as the region is experiencing extreme drought conditions; states of emergency were declared in North Carolina and Tennessee due to the crippling drought conditions.

PHOTO: An aircraft from the US Forestry Service drops fire retardant on a wildfire burning along the Flipper Bend area of Signal Mountain in Hamilton County, Tennessee, Nov. 9, 2016.
An aircraft from the US Forestry Service drops fire retardant on a wildfire burning along the Flipper Bend area of Signal Mountain in Hamilton County, Tennessee, Nov. 9, 2016.
PHOTO: David Benton walks past burning trees and brush at his home, Nov. 10, 2016, in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
David Benton walks past burning trees and brush at his home, Nov. 10, 2016, in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

In North Carolina, at the Nantahala National Forest, more than 20 wildfires are "being investigated for suspected arson," the U.S. Forest Service said, according to the AP.

And near the Nantahala National Forest, in Georgia's Rabun County, two fires that began Wednesday have since merged into one. Justin Upchurch of the Rabun County Fire Department said the fires were likely started with human intervention. The Rabun County Sheriff's Department has issued a look-out for a white man driving a dark blue colored SUV who could be connected to the fires.

PHOTO: Volunteer firefighter's Sheri Torbett, with the Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department, uses a leaf blower to turn back approaching flames near the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Hall in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
Volunteer firefighter's Sheri Torbett, with the Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department, uses a leaf blower to turn back approaching flames near the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Hall in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
PHOTO: Assistant Chief Brent Masey, of the Highway 58 Fire Department in Harrison, Tennessee, looks up as a helicopter carrying fire retardant flies over, Nov. 10, 2016, in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
Assistant Chief Brent Masey, of the Highway 58 Fire Department in Harrison, Tennessee, looks up as a helicopter carrying fire retardant flies over, Nov. 10, 2016, in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

A drought has been crippling the Southeast region and very dry conditions are expected to persist; no precipitation is expected for the next week.

In Tennessee, over 60 percent of the state's water systems are experiencing moderate to exceptional drought conditions, with three counties reporting that their wells are running completely dry.

Combined with increased wind gusts of 25 to 35 miles per hour, wildfires in the region have the potential to spread.

PHOTO: Grace Mynatt looks off towards Lookout Mountain as smoke from wildfires fills the Tennessee Valley, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nov. 7, 2016.
Grace Mynatt looks off towards Lookout Mountain as smoke from wildfires fills the Tennessee Valley, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nov. 7, 2016.
PHOTO: In this Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 photo, a wildfire burns near Lake Lure, North Carolina. A state of emergency is in effect for 25 western North Carolina counties where active wildfires are burning, caused by the drought that began last spring.
In this Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 photo, a wildfire burns near Lake Lure, North Carolina. A state of emergency is in effect for 25 western North Carolina counties where active wildfires are burning, caused by the drought that began last spring.

The southeast drought could be long term and could become more severe as "La Nina" impacts global climate patterns. "La Nina" is expected to bring dry and warmer than average conditions to the area.

PHOTO: Volunteer firefighter's with the Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department depart to work the Mowbray Mountain fire, Nov. 10, 2016, in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
Volunteer firefighter's with the Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department depart to work the Mowbray Mountain fire, Nov. 10, 2016, in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

ABC News' Dan Peck contributed to this report.

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