Virginia: Worst wildfires in 45 years

The first part of 2008 has seen more acreage consumed in wildfires than ever before in the past 45 years, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Almost 1,000 fires have destroyed 26,000 acres of land, the most since 1963.

In the Shenandoah Valley, the St. Mary's Wilderness wildfire in southern Augusta County burned for days, pulling in the Augusta Hot Shots, forestry firefighters, and firefighters from throughout the area to contain and finally put out the fire whose origin is still a mystery because of the remote location where it began.

Throughout the state drought conditions, high winds, and low humidity have played a part in the unwanted 2008 wildfire record. Especially of note was February 10, 2008, when 360 fires were reported throughout the Commonwealth that burned more than 16,000 acres, setting a new state record.

Fire season "ends" today.