FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov 19, 2016) – High winds continued to challenge firefighting efforts Saturday as wildfires burned across the Commonwealth, primarily in the southeastern part of the state.
Kentucky Division of Forestry officials said 61 fires were burning, with 21 of them on federal land in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Firefighting efforts were suspended overnight due to high winds in the area, but are expected to resume today as winds exit the state.
Officials reported that no fires broke containment lines overnight.
“For safety reason, due to high winds, we have pulled firefighters back from fire lines but on a fire by fire basis we are actively taking defensive actions to protect homes and property,” said Kentucky Department for Natural Resources Commissioner Allen Luttrell.
Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) continues coordinating and supporting the efforts of the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) and assistance from the Kentucky Fire Commission (KFC), Kentucky National Guard (KYNG), Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (KDEP), Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH), American Red Cross (ARC), private sector, and many others.
The 61 wildfires burning in the Commonwealth comprise 27,659 acres. The Red Cross has 11 shelters on standby. In the event evacuations become necessary, a map of open ARC shelters will be made available on the KYEM website home page, www.kyem.ky.gov .
Currently 99 counties have enforced burn bans, restricting all outdoor burning. A listing of the burn bans can be found on the KDF Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Kentucky-Division-of-Forestry-261039753930985/?fref=ts.
KYNG is providing eight helicopters for air assets in southeastern Kentucky today and continuing water drops on active woodland fires. For additional information and resources, please go to www.kyem.ky.gov , where you can also follow KYEM on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
When posting to social media regarding the wildfires, please use #KyWildfires.
