After weeks of limited rainfall, the Kentucky Division of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service are joining efforts to prevent wildland forest fires across the state.
“The dry weather conditions, along with above normal temperatures, have fire management officials concerned about the potential for wildland fires,” said Director Bill Steele with KDF. “With little rain predicted in the current weather forecasts, we are preparing for a busy fire season in November.”
Wildland fire suppression may involve a number of agencies. Firefighters with the Kentucky Division of Forestry respond to forest and grassland fires on state and private lands. On federal lands, agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service have firefighters that respond under their jurisdiction.
“National forest visitors over the next several weeks are advised to use extreme caution with fire,” said Fire Management Officer CorDell Taylor with the Daniel Boone National Forest. “Even after a rain, the forest ground fuels can dry out very quickly, and more leaves are falling to the ground at this time,” added Taylor. “As the leaves fall, more sunlight reaches the forest floor, which results in more fuels that dry sooner.”
While no Forest Service fire ban is currently in effect, forest officials are encouraging campers and hunters to use grills and camp stoves instead of campfires. The fire danger level for eastern Kentucky is currently rated as “very high.” The fuel moisture level for forest ground fuels, or woody debris on the forest floor, is rated as “extremely dry,” increasing the potential for large wildfires to occur.
From LEX18.com: https://www.lex18.com/story/33486175/state-federal-agencies-partnering-to-prevent-wildfire