Post by Greg Stamper on Nov 5, 2016 6:29:06 GMT -5
National Forest Service Concerned About Wildfires Starting in Central Kentucky
by Veronica Jean Seltzer
11/04/2016 - 11:41pm
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Video Link:
www.wtvq.com/2016/11/04/national-forest-service-concerned-wildfires-starting-central-kentucky/
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RED RIVER GORGE (WTVQ)- Dangerous forest fires continue to burn in eastern and southern Kentucky with more counties and parks choosing to enforce burn bans. Forest officials in Red River Gorge say they are worried we could see wildfires in this part of the state. Even with the bit of rain we had Thursday, leaves are still crisp and ready to burn so forest officials say they are relying on you to prevent fire.
To the well trained ear, the leaves in Red River Gorge are crunchier than the typical fall vegetation.
“You can see how hard and compact that soil is,” Melissa Yunas said, patting the ground.
She is here all the way from Florida. She helped California with its wild fires. Now, she is trying to do the same in Kentucky. She is walking around with gorge manager Tim Eling to get word out about the burn ban they hope will prevent wildfire. Right now, campers in the gorge can only make fires in the locations where the staff has installed grills or metal rings.
“One little wildfire could destroy homes. One little wildfire could easily hurt a firefighter or trap some campers inside here,” Yunas said.
The forest service says even a fire inside a rock circle is unacceptable because leaves are so close by.
“Really easy for the fire to escape,” Eling said.
Campers are allowed to use stoves.
“I’m okay with it honestly. I’d much rather have a fun time and come back next weekend than have the trail closed for a year because it’s burnt,” Denver Little, a camper, said.
There are now burn bans in more than 30 counties according to the state. The division of forestry has gotten reports of 49 fires burning over 6,000 acres. The Kentucky National Guard is flying eight helicopters to help drop water over the fires to our east. It is something Red River Gorge visitors say they will do their best to prevent here.
“There’s not very many places left where you can just camp and backpack without worrying about it and, to me, I’d hate to be the guy who ruins that,” Jamie Reising, a camper from Ohio, said.
The Red Cross is now offering help too to people in the areas fighting wildfires. The group is setting up five shelters in Harlan, Knox, and Letcher counties.
www.wtvq.com/2016/11/04/national-forest-service-concerned-wildfires-starting-central-kentucky/
by Veronica Jean Seltzer
11/04/2016 - 11:41pm
--------
Video Link:
www.wtvq.com/2016/11/04/national-forest-service-concerned-wildfires-starting-central-kentucky/
--------
RED RIVER GORGE (WTVQ)- Dangerous forest fires continue to burn in eastern and southern Kentucky with more counties and parks choosing to enforce burn bans. Forest officials in Red River Gorge say they are worried we could see wildfires in this part of the state. Even with the bit of rain we had Thursday, leaves are still crisp and ready to burn so forest officials say they are relying on you to prevent fire.
To the well trained ear, the leaves in Red River Gorge are crunchier than the typical fall vegetation.
“You can see how hard and compact that soil is,” Melissa Yunas said, patting the ground.
She is here all the way from Florida. She helped California with its wild fires. Now, she is trying to do the same in Kentucky. She is walking around with gorge manager Tim Eling to get word out about the burn ban they hope will prevent wildfire. Right now, campers in the gorge can only make fires in the locations where the staff has installed grills or metal rings.
“One little wildfire could destroy homes. One little wildfire could easily hurt a firefighter or trap some campers inside here,” Yunas said.
The forest service says even a fire inside a rock circle is unacceptable because leaves are so close by.
“Really easy for the fire to escape,” Eling said.
Campers are allowed to use stoves.
“I’m okay with it honestly. I’d much rather have a fun time and come back next weekend than have the trail closed for a year because it’s burnt,” Denver Little, a camper, said.
There are now burn bans in more than 30 counties according to the state. The division of forestry has gotten reports of 49 fires burning over 6,000 acres. The Kentucky National Guard is flying eight helicopters to help drop water over the fires to our east. It is something Red River Gorge visitors say they will do their best to prevent here.
“There’s not very many places left where you can just camp and backpack without worrying about it and, to me, I’d hate to be the guy who ruins that,” Jamie Reising, a camper from Ohio, said.
The Red Cross is now offering help too to people in the areas fighting wildfires. The group is setting up five shelters in Harlan, Knox, and Letcher counties.
www.wtvq.com/2016/11/04/national-forest-service-concerned-wildfires-starting-central-kentucky/