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Crews fighting large fire in northeast Alabama

Crews in northeast Alabama are fighting one of the largest wildfires yet to strike the state this fall.

The Alabama Forestry Commission says a fire near Mentone has burned more than 1,000 acres on Lookout Mountain.

National Guard helicopters are dumping water on the flames because the fire is inaccessible to bulldozers and firefighters in places. Only a few structures are at risk.

Officials have banned outdoor fires because of the drought, but wildfires have still burned more than 12,600 acres statewide in the last month.

The Forestry Commission says a previous fire in DeKalb County burned about 1,300 acres near the site of the current blaze.

Officials say the fire near Mentone is under investigation. It was first reported on Nov. 16.

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