On Nov. 9, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency due to an outbreak of wildfires across eastern Kentucky. As of Nov. 13, firefighters continue to work to contain the blaze.
As of Nov. 13, there are 16 active wildfires still spreading, a significant drop from the 31 that affected the area on Nov. 9. A total of 36 fires have been “contained,” meaning their area of effect is under control but work from firefighters is still required to keep them from spreading. A further 76 fires are now considered “controlled,” meaning that they are no longer at risk of spreading past their containment zone.
Around 27,000 acres have been affected by the fires.
“We are witnessing a volatile fire season, and although our team is making progress, it continues to be a potentially dangerous situation,” Beshear said in a Nov. 13 public announcement. “We remain grateful for those working on the frontlines to get these fires under control and protect our homes and communities.”
An executive order from Beshear has allowed state resources like Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky National Guard to be implemented to protect communities in affected areas.
In addition to state and local responders, Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) are working with forestry agencies from outside Kentucky to control the wildfires. These include the U.S. Forest Service, as well as forestry agencies from Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Approximately 340 firefighting personnel are working to combat the wildfires.
“We are so very thankful for these brave individuals as well as all the others, KDF and ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry) included, out there on the frontlines who have sacrificed to come to our aid,” KDF said in a Facebook post regarding firefighting efforts in Pike County.
According to KDF, 21 counties have been placed under a burn ban as a result of the wildfires. This includes Breathitt, Boyd, Bullitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Metcalfe, Morgan, Nelson, Perry, Pike, Trimble, Union and Whitley counties.
The KDF recognizes an official Wildfire Hazard Season for Kentucky from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, during which burning restrictions prohibit outdoor burning from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Burn bans, which are added to restrictions under wildfire conditions, completely prohibit outdoor burning.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 40% of Kentucky is experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions as of Nov. 13. High pressure weather conditions are expected to settle across the impacted areas around Nov. 16, leading to dry weather conditions and above average temperatures through the weekend.
KDF has made available an interactive map of Kentucky showing active and contained wildfires. The map can be viewed at kdf.firesponse.com.