THE KENTUCKY DIVISION OF FORESTRY IS PREPARING FOR INCREASED FIRE ACTIVITY THIS WEEKEND AS TEMPERATURES WARMUP. LOW HUMIDITY, INCREASED FUEL LOADS AND LOW-FUEL MOISTURE COULD CAUSE HIGH TO VERY HIGH FIRE CONDITIONS. FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THAT ALTHOUGH THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE SPRING FIRE HAZARD SEASON HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY CALM, THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR WILDFIRES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
OFFICIALS ADD THE WARMER WEATHER WILL PROMPT MANY PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME OUTDOORS AND THAT USUALLY MEANS INCREASED FIRE ACTIVITY. MOST FIRES ARE CAUSED BY CARELESS DEBRIS BURNING AND ARSON, THEREFORE, THE DIVISION IS URGING CITIZENS TO CHOOSE AN ALTERNATE DISPOSAL METHOD RATHER THAN BURNING AND TO REPORT ANY INFORMATION ABOUT ARSON TO THE DIVISION OR A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
CITIZENS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PREVENT WILDFIRES: OUTDOOR BURNING IS ILLEGAL BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6 A.M. AND 6 P.M. IN OR WITHIN 150 FEET OF ANY WOODLAND OR BRUSHLAND DURING FOREST FIRE HAZARD SEASONS. DEBRIS BURNING SHOULD BE AVOIDED ALTOGETHER DURING FIRE HAZARD SEASONS.
SUSPICIOUS ACTS OF ARSON SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE NEAREST KENTUCKY STATE POLICE POST OR THE TARGET ARSON HOTLINE AT 1-800-27-ARSON. CITIZENS SHOULD USE FIREWISE PRACTICES AROUND THEIR HOMES, SUCH CREATING A DEFENSIBLE SPACE BY REMOVING LEAVES, DEBRIS, DEAD PLANT MATERIAL AND FIREWOOD.
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