wildfire

The fall wildfire hazard season has started in Kentucky. The season runs from October 1 through December 15. During that time, outdoor burning is prohibited from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland.

State Forestry Division Director Leah MacSwords says that with the last several weeks of dry weather, conditions are favorable for the spread of wildfires.

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Officials with the Kentucky Division of Forestry say this summer’s lack of rain, along with tornadoes that have knocked down trees have created the conditions for a potentially bad wildfire season.  The recent drought has dried out state forests in the Commonwealth, and fallen trees and limbs means there’s plenty of fuel for wildfires.  State forester Leah MacSwords says this could lead to an active fire season and be dangerous for firefighters.  She says people should take extra precautions and watch out for forest arson, the leading cause of Kentucky’s wildfires.  This fall’s fire season

Today on NPR: How The Smokey Bear Effect Led To Raging Wildfires

Firefighters say they’ve contained weekend wildfires that burned more than 250 acres of woodlands in northern parts of The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, forestry officials warn fireworks celebrations could cause fires. 

Officials say sparks from an electric line caused yesterday's wildfire along the Pennyrile Parkway in Christian County.

While West Kentucky's drought and fire risks are some of the worst in the state only four west Kentucky Counties have issued burn bans.

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Wild fires are scorching hundreds of square miles in several western states of the U.S.  While parts of Kentucky are experiencing severe drought, the risk of similar fires in the commonwealth is relatively small.