Has made his territory 'a safer place to live'

Contact:  Gwen Holt 502-564-4496

COLUMBIA, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2006) – A Kentucky Division of Forestry ranger for Adair and Russell counties has won an award from the U.S. Forest Service for his efforts to prevent wildfires.

Kenny Pyles is Kentucky’s recipient of a Robert E. Browning Jr. Fire Prevention Award.

Pyles has been a Division of Forestry employee for more than five years. His fire prevention efforts have resulted in a 50 percent decrease in the number of wildfires in the two counties he serves.

“Kenny’s dedication to the counties he serves has made them a safer place to live, and that’s what fire prevention is all about,” Division Director Leah MacSwords said.

Pyles also was instrumental in assisting the Knifley Volunteer Fire Department and the communities it serves in becoming the first in Kentucky to be accorded Firewise Communities/USA recognition.

The Browning award was established to honor Robert E. Browning Jr., one of 14 firefighters killed while battling a wildfire on Storm King Mountain in Colorado in 1994.