Forest fires in several southeastern Kentucky counties are keeping local, state and federal firefighters busy. Harlan County’s judge-executive declared a state of emergency Sunday. Steve Kull is with the state Division of Forestry. Monday afternoon, he said fires are being fought in Harlan, Bell, Knox and Owsley counties.
"A lot of things have led up to the current situation, continuing drought and such made it so dry that this past weekend, we had a lot of fire activity and those fires because of the drought are very difficult to contain.”
There are so many forest fires in Kentucky that state officials are asking for outside help. Unfortunately, nearby states have a shortage of firefighters, too, thanks to blazes they’re fighting. Kull said assistance could come from the northwest.
“Right now, in conversations with Oregon that could potentially supply our personnel needs. We’re asking for 10 crews, so not definite, some finalization logistics has to happen, but we are trying to get help from outside of Kentucky.”
During the Natural Bridge Fire last summer, firefighters came from several distant states, including Oregon, and even Puerto Rico.
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