State officials are urging Kentuckians to be alert as the fall wildfire hazard season is well underway, bringing outdoor burning restrictions to the state, including a ban on daylight burning within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland.
“Carelessness with fire not only can have a human cost but also devastate the lives and habitat of the animal species that depend on forestland,” said Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “Please be responsible and be safe.”
Specific provisions of the state’s outdoor burning law prohibits burning between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time, if the fire is within 150 feet of any woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials. These restrictions are in effect every fall from October 1 to December 15 and spring from February 15 to April 30 to help prevent wildfires.
The Division of Forestry responds to more than 1,000 wildfires annually across the state. Studies show that 99 percent of all wildfires in Kentucky are from human activity. Arsonists start over half of the wildfires and the second leading cause is debris fires that escape.
If a fire escapes from the burning of debris, immediately contact the nearest Division of Forestry field office or local fire department.
The state has more than 12 million acres of forested area with almost all of them available for timber production. This acreage also provides a critical habitat for many wildlife species, including deer, turkey, elk and black bears.
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