Whitley County burn ban rescinded following rainfall

The burn ban put in place earlier this month for Whitley County has been rescinded. 

Whitley County Judge/Executive Pat White confirmed Tuesday that the burn ban is no longer in effect following recent rainfall throughout the county. The burn ban was initially put in place Nov. 8 as several wildfires continued to burn both across the state and county.

According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry’s fire map, one of the two largest wildfires within Whitley County is no longer burning. The remaining four active fires are all listed as being controlled.

At the height of the county’s active wildfires, nearly 1,000 acres were on fire. 

Across the state, numbers also dropping, with the KDF website showing 41 active fires accounting for just over 10,000 acres as of Tuesday evening. In comparison, last Tuesday’s numbers showed 100 active fires with approximately 27,000 acres involved. 

Kentucky’s fall fire season runs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15 each year, when many of these types are fires are common.

The next fire hazard season begins Feb. 15 and runs through April 30.