EKB News

With the heavy rainfall statewide the state, which has not suffered any major wildfires in the last five years seems to be out of the woods again this year but forest officials are casting a weary eye toward years of accumulated leaves, twigs and brush. Gwen Holt spokeswoman for the Kentucky Division of Forestry told the Associated press today that "There is a heavy fuel build up," and that "Basically, all we can do at this point is keep our fingers crossed that we'll continue to have this rain pattern." So far this year, firefighters have battled 1,419 fires that burned nearly 43,000 acres. But the riskiest part of the forest fire season - from October through December - has just started. Many of the fires occur in early November with Holt saying it only takes two or three days without rainfall "before we see forest fire activity." Eastern Kentucky, with its rugged terrain and the majority of the state's woodlands, is by far the most vulnerable region to wildfires, Holt said. The area also has the highest rate of arson, which is the cause of more than half of Kentucky forest fires. In September of this year, Pikeville alone has experienced more than four times the amount of rainfall than in September 2005.