Wildland Fire Management

Wildland Fire Hazard Seasons and Enforcement

Potato Knob Fire sunset The Division of Forestry is responsible for fighting wildland fires on private lands and enforcing forest fire hazard seasons and other outdoor burning regulations. During forest fire hazard season, it is illegal to burn between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland. The season dates are as follows:

Spring Forest Fire Hazard Season: Feb. 15 through April 30
Fall Forest Fire Hazard Season: Oct. 1 though Dec. 15

Wildland Fire Suppression Efforts

first responder controling wild fire Wildland fires have been occurring in Kentucky for thousands of years. Native Americans used fire to clear land for wildlife and early settlers adopted these same land-clearing techniques. Unfortunately, these fires began to threaten homes and communities prompting the need to suppress wildfires and establish forest protection laws. The first forest protection laws were enacted in 1831 in a few specific counties with heavily wooded areas. The fine and penalty for setting a fire was $20. Today, Kentucky's forest protection laws include much stiffer penalties for intentionally setting a fire on land owned by another
(KRS 149.380). The penalties for violating KRS 149.380 include a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $10,000, imprisonment for not more than five years, or both fine and imprisonment.

Although the Division of Forestry is the lead agency in fighting wildfires on private lands, there is no one agency that can fight all the wildland fires in Kentucky. Oftentimes, wildfire suppression may involve a number of different agencies as well as rural and city fire departments. On larger fires or during times of extreme fire activity, agencies will work together under the Incident Command System to fight fires. Resource mobilization for larger fires originate at the Kentucky Interagency Coordination Center.

Wildland Fire Historical Statistics

10-Year Summary of Number of Fires and Acres Burned

Wildland Fire Links

Daniel Boone National Forest - Fire Management

Kentucky Prescribed Fire Council

National Fire Protection Association

National Interagency Fire Center

National Weather Service Fire Weather

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

USDA Forest Service - Wildland Fire

Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment

Hotline

To report a wildland fire arsonist, call the Target Arson Hotline number. To report a wildland fire, call your local field office, local fire department, or 911.

1-800-27-ARSON

Interactive Current Wildfire Activity MapFind current reported, active, contained, and controlled wildfires being managed by the Division of Forestry Advisories and Red Flag WarningsThe potential for wildfire can occur any time of year, therefore, citizens should always be aware of fire weather conditions and outdoor burning restrictions in their area.County Burn BansIn addition to forest fire hazard seasons and outdoor burning regulations, further restrictions may be initiated at the local level through county burn bans and local ordinances. County burn bans are issued by the county judge-executive and are enforced with assistance from local law enforcement.Outdoor Burning LawsForest Protection Laws - KRS 149.010 - KRS 149.991 Open Burning Regulation - 401 KAR 63:005 Wildland Arson Report an ArsonistArson is the leading cause of forest fires in Kentucky.Assistance to Volunteer Fire DepartmentsThe Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program is designed to establish and enhance fire protection in communities with a population of 10,000 persons or less.Kentucky Firewise ProgramThe Kentucky Firewise USA® program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from the risk of wildfire.Federal Excess Personal Property and Firefighter ProgramsThe Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program provides equipment to loan to local fire departments for suppressing wildland fires in their area. The Firefighter Program (FFP) refers to excess Department of Defense (DoD) property that is suitable for use in providing fire and emergency services.Wildland Fire Prevention and Safe Debris BurningThe Division of Forestry promotes fire prevention through activities such as enforcement of the forest fire laws, school fire prevention programs, community events,

Wildland Fire Management