The fall wildfire hazard season in Kentucky begins Thursday, bringing outdoor burning restrictions to the state.
Kentucky’s outdoor burning law prohibits burning between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6p.m. 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 in the fall from October 1 through December 15 and in the spring from February 15 to April 30 to help prevent wildfires.
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Forestry Director Brandon Howard says, “Many parts of the country are experiencing a devastating fire season. We are monitoring our wildfire situation at home and will bring our crews home at the appropriate time.”
Officials say so far this year, 278 wildland fires have burned more than 3,700 acres in Kentucky. Though not as active as 2019, conditions can easily turn dry, making wildfires more likely.
Statistics show 99 percent of all wildfires in Kentucky are human-caused. Second only to arson, uncontrolled debris burning is a leading cause of wildfires.