By Alan Lytle
Lexington, KY – Strong wind warnings throughout the Commonwealth have forestry officials urging extra caution for potential forest fires. Kentucky Division of Forestry Director Leah MacSwords says there are currently 19 fires burning in Eastern Kentucky forest land.
"With these winds and fires already burning, (we're concerned that) they will spread very quickly. And the advice we have to the public is do not do any outdoor burning today. It's just too dangerous. Fires can escape and cause real problems for property owners in the state."
MacSwords says hikers could find things rather tricky today as well.
"With the damaged timber that we've had over the last few years because of the 2008 ice storm, falling limbs can be a real problem. So, again, I'd just say if you can, stay out of the woods today."
MacSwords says 95 to 98 percent of all Kentucky forest fires are human-caused. Sixty percent are deliberately set. The official forest fire season by law runs from February 15th through April 30th.