Kentucky’s fall fire season began Saturday which makes it illegal to burn during the day to help prevent forest fires.
The fall fire season runs from October 1 through December 15 and again next February 15 to April 30. During this time, state law makes it illegal for anyone to start a fire within 150 feet of any woods or brush line between the hours of 6 am to 6 pm. After 6 pm, a fire should only be started if the conditions are suitable to keep it under control.
According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry, wildfires are more than 99-percent human-caused. Deliberately set fires are the number one cause, followed by the burning of fields or debris. Other causes are sparks from faulty equipment, downed electrical lines, children playing with fire, and escaped campfires.
Forestry officials say that individual efforts can go a long way in reducing the occurrence of wildfire, and taking extra precautions with debris fires and campfires as well as being alert to forest arson can eliminate the majority of wildfires that occur in Kentucky.