KENTUCKY – Just a reminder, Kentucky’s fall fire season started last week and runs through December 15, making it illegal to burn anything in areas near woods or brush during certain times of day.
Magoffin County 911 shared a facts sheet on social media Thursday, October 1, reminding the public that the state is now in fire season.
Kentucky’s fire seasons are October 1 to December 15 and February 15 to April 30 each year. During the official fire seasons, it is illegal to set fire to or procure another to set fire to any flammable material capable of spreading fire, located in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland, except between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. or when the ground is covered with snow, per KRS 149.400.
The state statute does not allow burning between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. due to higher daytime temperatures and drops in humidity during the day, both of which dry out the fuels that feed wildfires, and increased windspeeds more common in the daytime, which can spread flames faster.
Temperatures drop and humidity levels rise at night, as well as wind speeds decrease, making it less likely for fires to spread.
Officials also remind the public that if your burn pile starts a wildfire, you may have to pay for the cost of extinguishing the flames.
For more on the state’s wildfire management efforts, go to https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/wildland-fire-management/Pages/default.aspx.
