So far this fall, we haven't seen too many forest fires. But that all changed on Saturday according to Leslie Fitzwater with the state Division of Forestry.

"We saw quite a few fires anywhere between 40 and 50 fires in the southern part of the state,” Fitzwater said.

That included a brush fire near Danville in Boone County on Sunday that destroyed 475 acres. Monday, foresters and volunteer firefighters were still on the scene mopping up and making sure stray flames didn't jump the control line.

Even though it's been a rather damp and cloudy fall so far, Fitzwater says it's amazing what just one or two days of dry, windy, sunny weather, like the weekend, can do to the forest floor.

"A lot of sun gets through where there's no leaves left,” she said. “It gets through to the forest floor and dries everything out. Fires can spread very quickly."

The Division of Forestry is making a request of the public.

"We would ask that the people don't burn if they don't absolutely have to. If they do feel the need, they must obey the laws, which are they can only burn after 4 p.m. and all fires must be extinguished by 7 a.m.

The forest fire threat assessment is currently at 'High.'

Fall forest fire season stretches until Dec. 31.