Despite record rainfall in September, today marks the beginning of the fall forest fire season in Kentucky and West Virginia.
That means burning is restricted and will only be allowed at certain points of the day, typically when the winds are lighter and the humidity is higher.
More than 23,000 acres were burned across Kentucky in 2017, nearly 16,000 of those in southeast Kentucky. Arson accounted for 55% of fires statewide.
In Kentucky, the season runs until December 15th with burning restricted from 6am – 6pm within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland.
In West Virginia, the season runs through December 31st with restrictions in place from 7am until 5pm.
The Virginia fall forest fire season begins October 15th and runs through November 30th.