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Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Fall forest fire hazard season begins Oct. 1
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 26, 2005) - The fall forest fire hazard season begins Oct. 1 in Kentucky. Until it ends Dec. 15, burning within 150 feet of a woodland or brush land is illegal from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
"The last four fire seasons have been unusually light, and that has created a very heavy accumulation of fuel in our forests," said Leah MacSwords, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry, an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC).
"In addition to the heavy accumulation of fuel, the current drought conditions could create a very dangerous situation," MacSwords said. "Citizens who live in and around our state’s woodlands should take extra precautions to ensure their property is safe from wildfire."
The national Firewise Communities Program recommends a 30-foot mowed buffer area around homes, hoses long enough to reach around houses, decks enclosed to keep out dried leaves, and firewood stacked away from houses. Visit www.firewise.ky.gov <http://www.firewise.ky.gov> and www.firewise.org <http://www.firewise.org>.
Most Kentucky forest fires are set by arsonists. Suspected arsonists should be reported to the Target Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON, local law enforcement or the division. Hotline callers can qualify for a cash reward if information leads to an arrest and indictment.
Precautions should be taken and weather conditions considered before outdoor burning. The wildland Fire Situation Report at <http://www.forestry.ky.gov/situationreport/> lists fire conditions and counties that have banned burning. Also check with two other EPPC agencies - the Division for Air Quality and Division of Waste Management - to ensure compliance with other outdoor burning regulations.
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