Knoxville (WVLT) -- Brush fires have been a major problem in the region today.

In Loudon county nearly seven acres were burned by a quick spreading fire. According to authorities several homes were threatened in a community near Old Sugar Limb Road.

The fire came within a half mile of the justice center and as of 6PM they were still fighting hot spots.

Another quick spreading brush fire had Rural/Metro out for most of the afternoon in East Knox County. The fire occurred on Wayland Road near Strawberry Plains Pike.

Authorities are not sure how it started, but it climbed a ridge, putting rough terrain between the fire fighters and itself.

Rural/Metro took four hours to put it out, putting homes in danger and claiming 15 acres of land. No injuries were reported and no property was lost.

All the fires in the area have spread quickly due to the weather.

"Anytime where you get conditions like this one with high winds and potential storm conditions with lightening, which wasn't this one, but burning an open fire when it's getting dry with low humidity can be a problem," said Rural/Metro fire fighter Jeff Devlin.

Tonight on the NightWatch at 11 we will bring you coverage on the large Sevier County Fire on Cove Mountain that flamed up this morning.