RECENT RAINS A BIG HELP FOR SIPSEY WILDERNESS FIRE CREWS

MOULTON, Ala. (AP) – Officials say rain has extinguished much of the wildfire that was burning in the Sipsey Wilderness of northwest Alabama.

The so-called Big Tree wildfire burned about 2,000 acres of forest before storms moved into the area.

The precipitation has greatly improved conditions, and the U.S. Forest Service says fire crews are returning to normal duty and trails are reopening to visitors.

A crew from Virginia is still in the area monitoring the fire line in case conditions worsen.