CHARLESTON, West Virginia — Grant, Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton counties have been placed under a State of Emergency due to “extensive forest fires,” Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday afternoon. Multiple large fires are burning across those counties, including one at Waites Run near Wardensville that has destroyed “countless” structures, according to fire departments. The Fire Information for Rescue Management System map says that the Waites Run fire has burned more than 3,500 acres, which is nearly 5.5 square miles. Departments from multiple states, including Virginia and Maryland, and from West Virginia counties as far away as Monongalia and Braxton have responded to help fight the series of fires. Another large fire in Grant County has burned more than 500 acres as of Thursday morning.