Reduce wildland fire risk by making your property Firewise

Contact:  Diana Olszowy 502-564-4496

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2006) – The fall forest fire hazard season begins Sunday, 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 five fire seasons have been light, and that has created a very heavy accumulation of fuel in our forests,” said Leah MacSwords, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF), an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC).

“Citizens who live in and around our state’s woodlands should take extra precautions to ensure their property is safe from wildfire,” MacSwords said.

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 http://www.forestry.ky.gov/programs/firewise/ and www.firewise.org for information about how property owners can reduce wildland fire risks.

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 KDF. Callers may remain anonymous and 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. 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.