Several counties ban outdoor burning
FRANKFORT, KY (Nov. 5, 2016) – A warm, sunny day may seem like a good opportunity to clear dead limbs and leaves from your yard, but Kentucky Division of Forestry officials say now is not a good time to do any outdoor burning. Dry conditions and an increase in the number of forest fires has prompted the division to ask everyone to wait until conditions change before doing any outdoor burning. During the Fall Forest Fire Season, which began October 1 and lasts until December 15, it is illegal for any person to burn between the daylight hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. While it is not illegal to burn after 6:00 p.m., forestry officials say the dry conditions make burning at anytime dangerous.
Thirty-four counties have issued outdoor burning bans; Barren, Bath, Boyd, Breathitt, Calloway, Carlisle, Carter, Clay, Edmonson, Fleming, Floyd, Fulton, Graves, Harlan, Hart, Hickman, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken, McCreary, Monroe, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle and Whitley. Other counties are expected to issue bans soon. Contact your county judge executive or your local fire department to find out if your county is under an outdoor burning ban.
Parts of the Commonwealth have received a little rainfall recently, but it wasn’t enough, especially when the unusually warm temperatures cause dry conditions to rapidly return. “A substantial amount of rainfall over several days is needed to improve the current conditions,” says Bill Steele, Director, Kentucky Division of Forestry. “Until then, we’re counting on the public to refrain from outdoor burning. Remember, fire fighters risk their lives to protect you and your property.”
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