Whitley, Laurel counties issue burning bans

The Tri-County area is almost four inches short of average rainfall in June and more than five inches below average precipitation for the year.

With no relief on the horizon, a ban on outdoor burning has gone into effect in Laurel and Whitley counties.

Keavy Fire Department officials reported firefighters were paged to two grass fires Friday and Woodbine firefighters were call to a brush fire Saturday near the Knox/Whitley County line.

Saturday night, West Knox Firefighters were called to the area behind Knight’s Inn in North Corbin to battle a brush fire that had been ignited by fireworks.

"It was right behind the building so the initial call was that the Knight’s Inn was on fire," said West Knox Fire Chief Daryl Baker. "The guy had set the ivy near a chain link fence on fire and was using a garden hose to try to put it out."

Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield and Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. both stated the respective bans would remain in place until the area receives sufficient rainfall.

Until then, area fire departments will respond to reports of open burns, controlled burns or anyone using a barrel to burn trash and extinguish the fire.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said individuals who ignite such fires may be cited by the fire department that responds and fined $150.

"It is a misdemeanor," Acciardo noted.

Knox County Judge-Executive J.M. Hall has not yet issued a similar ban, but stated that it may happen later this week.

Kentucky’s laws were changed in 2011 to permit residents 18 years and older to use bottle rockets, roman candles and other fireworks that are launched into the air and explode. Acciardo advised citizens to be cautious as such fireworks can easily ignite a brush fire.

West Knox Fire Chief Daryl Baker advised anyone using fireworks to take precautions, including: not shooting the fireworks where they may strike a building or wooded area, keep a water hose ready and have a bucket of water nearby to drop used fireworks into.

Jeff Carico, a spokesperson for the National Weather Service in Jackson, said that rain is not likely to happen in the next week.

"We may see an isolated shower, but the soaking rain we need is not on the horizon.