Local fire fighters and fire crews from the Wayne National Forest are are gaining the upper hand in containing and controlling three wild fires that are burning in parts of Lawrence and Scioto counties Thursday.

The largest of the three fires is burning along the Lawrence-Scioto county line north of Township Roads 278 and 279, in an area northwest of Hanging Rock.

That fire has covered up to 100 acres so far, and the Ironton Ranger District Fire Management Officer (FMO) reports it is about 80 percent contained.

At its peak, some 25 firefighters worked to contain the fire, which has cost about $3,000 so far.

The FMO reports that other Forest Service resources are en route from four other National Forests.

A second fire, which was discovered late Sunday, is reported to be completely contained.

Crews are working to get that fire extinguished by early Saturday.

Several homes in that area, along County Road 182 near Kits Hill, were threatened by that fire.

A third fire was reported early Thursday along Township Road 154, about two miles northwest of Waterloo on Hwy 141, which is about 13 miles northeast of Ironton.

Crews expect to have that fire completely contained and extinguished by early Saturday.

The Wayne's Ironton District Ranger says that conditions in many parts of the National Forest, and in forests throughout Lawrence and Scioto counties, are ripe for even a small camp fire to get out of control easily.

Local residents and hunters in the area are advised to refrain from burning garbage or leaves, or from using open flames outdoors during this dry period.

Bans and restrictions on open fires in the state are set and announced by the state Department of Natural Resources.