Kentucky

Wildfire burns about 2,000 acres of Daniel Boone National Forest in Rockcastle County

The Climax Volunteer Fire Department in Rockcastle County said they, along with the Mount Vernon Fire Department and Brindle Ridge Fire Department, responded to a wildfire off U.S. 25 this week.
The Climax Volunteer Fire Department in Rockcastle County said they, along with the Mount Vernon Fire Department and Brindle Ridge Fire Department, responded to a wildfire off U.S. 25 this week. Facebook

A wildfire in Rockcastle County has burned about 2,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Rockcastle County Emergency Management Director David Colson said the fire, in the Cut Gap area west of Interstate 75 near the Laurel County line, was reported Saturday and burned until Friday.

The U.S. Forest Service handled the response to the blaze.

Colson said the rain Friday helped extinguish the fire.

“It has been a blessing,” he said. “We’ve had our share of fires.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the Forest Service said the fire had burned 1,900 acres and was 25 percent contained.

Local fire departments in Livingston, Climax and Mount Vernon battled several other wildfires this week, including, Colson said, one in the Burnt Ridge area near Big Hill that burned about 80 acres, one just outside Mount Vernon that burned about 30 acres Thursday night and one that burned about 10 acres Wednesday night.

A wildfire in Estill County burned nearly 1,000 acres this week. It was among 52 fires in 28 counties caused by dry conditions, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Karla Ward
Lexington Herald-Leader
Karla Ward is a native of Logan County who has worked as a reporter at the Herald-Leader since 2000. She covers breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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