U.S. Forest Service — With the start of Kentucky’s spring wildfire hazard season, wildland fire crews are setting up shop across the Daniel Boone National Forest. These crews will be on call to respond to wildfires throughout the spring fire season, which lasts from February 15 to April 30. They will also carry out a number of prescribed burns to reduce hazardous fuels, restore wildlife habitat and improve forest health.
All prescribed burns are thoroughly planned and analyzed by a team of specialists to ensure that wildlife, fisheries, rare plants and historic sites are not harmed. Experienced fire managers will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and local residents. Prior to the planned ignition of a burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area. Depending on weather conditions, fire managers plan to burn between 15,000 and 27,000 acres on the Forest this spring.
The USFS map currently does not show any prescribed burns in the Jellico Mountains.