Daniel Boone Forest Supervisor orders burning ban
A news release from the Daniel Boone National Forest Newsroom

WINCHESTER, Ky., Oct.6, 2008

On Monday, October 6, Forest Supervisor Jerome Perez issued an emergency order that bans campfires outside of developed recreation areas. The order prohibits "building, maintaining, attending or using fire, charcoal, or campfire outside of a developed recreational site" on the Daniel Boone National Forest. In addition, the order bans all fireworks forest-wide. This order will remain in effect until further notice or up to 120 days.

Backcountry campers may use portable lanterns and camp stoves that are fueled by gas or propane, but no open campfires are permitted under the burning ban. The campfires that are permitted in recreation areas must be contained in Forest Service constructed fire pits at those sites.

"The emergency order is necessary to ensure public safety," said Perez. "This is a preventive measure to further reduce the risks of escaped campfires, which often result in uncontrolled wildland fires during this time of year.

"Firefighters have been fighting a fire all weekend in the Red River Gorge that is a result of an abandoned campfire that escaped. Unfortunately, this campfire turned into a 567-acre wildfire, requiring hundreds of hours or work by more than 50 firefighters and other Forest Service personnel."

Without significant precipitation, an active fire season is expected this fall throughout Kentucky. According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, Ky., severe drought conditions continue for parts of eastern Kentucky. A recent drought information statement by the NWS has documented September 2008 as the driest September on record for London, Ky. and the second driest on record for Jackson.

Some rain is predicted in the forecast later this week, which may bring some temporary relief from the drought. However, without continuing rainfall, the forest ground fuels typically dry within a couple of days.

"I encourage campers and all other visitors to the forest to use extreme caution with fire and to help our firefighters by reporting any activities that could result in an uncontrolled wildland fire," said Perez.

Any individual or group responsible for causing a wildfire can be held liable for the costs of suppression. Violations of the Forest Supervisor's order may be punishable by a fine up to $5,000 for an individual and up to $10,000 for a group or organization, including the potential for imprisonment up to six months.

Forest Service regulations require that any campfire be attended at all times, even those in designated containment structures and grills within developed recreation areas.