NEWS RELEASE
FRANKFORT, Ky: (Nov. 16, 2016) – As wildfires continue to burn, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) remains activated, supporting wildfire fighting efforts across the Commonwealth.
On Oct. 27, the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) began assisting local fire departments battling the wildfires. KDF continues to lead those efforts with over 400 deployed personnel combating 24 active wildfires containing 26,060 acres. To date, there have been 263 fires, with approximately 44,008 acres burned. 83 counties have issued burn bans which can be found on the KDF Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Kentucky-Division-of-Forestry-261039753930985/?fref=ts.
Additionally, the US Forestry Service is also battling fires burning in the Daniel Boone National Forest, where there are currently 11 active fires, covering approximately 920 acres of federal land.
The Kentucky National Guard (KYNG) continues to provide six helicopters for air support in fighting the wildfires with water drops in southeastern Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP), Division for Air Quality, has provided an air quality analysis with locations that have only moderate concern. Although the conditions are listed as moderate, it is possible that certain locations may have air pockets with more severe conditions present based on the wildfire activity in the area. These air quality concerns can be found on KDEP’s page at http:// http://eppcapp.ky.gov/daq/.
A statewide map of air quality testing can be found at http://kyem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=800ba674d801480dae58c0e7fe83e1dc.
Earlier today a multiple vehicle accident forced the closing of the Mountain Parkway at exits 34 and 35, Slade, KY. Smoke from the nearby wildfires may have been a contributing factor. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists to use extreme caution while driving in wildfire impacted areas.
Smoke from the wildfires have combined with fog to create low to no visibility. Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their own reports at www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. You can also get traffic information for District 11 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict11 or by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.
When posting to social media regarding the wildfires, please use #KyWildfires.