State forest rangers battled a 50-acre blaze Monday on Aurelian Springs Road and a 3-acre fire started by a downed power line in the White Oak community.

Halifax County Ranger Jim Short said rangers and volunteer firefighters were at the Aurelian Springs Road fire from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rheasville and Darlington volunteer firefighters assisted and rangers from Rocky Mount, Northampton and Edgecombe were called to assist. A district scout plane flew over the scene to chart progress of the containment effort, Short said.

Rangers had a line circled around the fire by 9:30 p.m.

In the White Oak community 3 acres burned in a cutover when a power line dropped. Rangers and Enfield volunteer firefighters worked from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to contain that blaze.

The cause of the Aurelian Springs Road fire remains under investigation, Short said, and despite rain this morning, rangers are still monitoring hotspots.

Conditions for woods fires were ripe Monday with low humidity and high winds. Rangers contended with blowing sparks and embers.

What contributed the most to the fires were fine fuels, such as needles and hardwood leaves, along with logging debris, Short said. Those dry quickly and until trees green up, the danger will persist as conditions improve today.