The Nation : Rains Help Put Out Fires

Heavy rains helped douse wildfires that blackened 70,000 acres of brush and woodlands across eight Southeastern states, but gusty winds fanned the embers and weary firefighters stood by in case of new blazes. Volunteers, National Guardsmen and prison inmates joined the fight against the fires, which were blamed for one firefighter’s death, more than 30 injuries, mostly among firefighters, and millions of dollars of damage. Two North Carolina residents suffered mild heart attacks as they evacuated their homes, officials said. The showers fell on North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, easing wind-fanned blazes that had raged in some places since Wednesday.