Dry conditions lead to burn bans being issued

WARREN COUNTY, Ky. – Dry conditions all across the state have led some local leaders to take drastic measures.

On Monday, Warren County judge executive Doug Gorman issued a burn ban for the county. Leaders in Edmonson, Knott, Letcher McCreary, Morgan and Wayne counties, as well as the cities of Harlan and Loyall, have also issued burn bans.

These burn bans are different than the burn restrictions the state issue every year during the transition seasons. These bans require no outdoor burning of any kind. This includes burning trash and debris, as well as using fireworks. Grilling outside is still permitted for those that would like to.

The current conditions have left much of the state in a very dangerous condition as the severe lack of rain has left much of the state abnormally dry. Local fire departments have already responded to a number of field and brush fires both in Warren County and surrounding counties, with Butler County suffering from a sizable fire in March.

Local fire leaders say the conditions for a catastrophic fire are there, and that extreme precautions need to be taken.

“The hazard right now is through the roof. We are way below our average rainfall. And, even though yesterday we had a little bit of a mist, none of that really benefits at us at all. So we’ve had, significant incidents in Warren County and in our neighboring counties that we’ve responded to where they can be really catastrophic,” said Warren County fire coordinator Bill Rector.

The penalties for violating the burn ban can carry a fine of $50 to $500. The burn ban will only be lifted once the surrounding area has received plentiful rain and high risk for fires diminishes.