Story highlights Smoke and dangerous air quality causes hospitalizations in Tennessee

Fires affect six states, prompting some governors to ban open burns and fireworks

(CNN) More than 200 people have been hospitalized with breathing difficulties in Tennessee as wildfires scorched the Southeast.

Over 30 large fires have burned more than 80,000 acres in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky, according to the US Forest Service.

"Dry weather, high winds and the continuing drought is driving the large growth of fires," Dave Martin of the US Forest Service's Southern Region said earlier this week. And because the fires are spread over several states, agencies' resources are being depleted, he added.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 250 residents have been hospitalized since November 1 with shortness of breath and other respiratory issues, according to the state's Emergency Management Agency. More than half have gotten treatment since Friday, as residents struggled with heavy smoke and poor air quality.

Emergency workers in Tennessee have been trying to contain 67 fires burning nearly 16,000 acres. At least 15 new fires flared up Tuesday, according to the agency.

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