Agencies from Idaho, Oregon are coming to help fight Kentucky wildfires
Emergency responders from the other side of the country are coming to Kentucky to help fight dozens wildfires of wildfires, according to the Kentucky Division of Forestry.
The fires have burned for days thanks to dry weather, and photos from the division of forestry showed massive flames visible from Hazard.
Request for assistance was filed by the division of forestry this week as crews battled more than 60 wildfires which have started in southeast Kentucky since the weekend, the division of forestry said. The Idaho Department of Lands was expected to send two crews consisting of 10 people each, and the Oregon Department of Forestry was expected to send six crews consisting of 10 people each. Officials from the Oregon Division of Forestry arrived Wednesday night.
The crews from Oregon were brought up to speed when they arrived, the division of forestry said. They were expected to go to London to pick up equipment before meeting up with crews to battle the fires.
“We are so thankful to have them,” the division of forestry said in a Facebook post. “These fine folks will be aiding our Kentucky Division of Forestry crews already engaged in wildland firefighting in SE Kentucky.”
In a Facebook post, the Idaho Department of Lands said it relies on other states for help during fire seasons and wants to reciprocate the help when other states are in need.
“And it gives our firefighters valuable experience in meeting fire qualifications,” the Idaho Department of Lands said.
The division of forestry said the current drought and unseasonably warm temperatures has made controlling wildfires more difficult.
“When it is unusually dry, crews need to spend more time and use heavy equipment to make sure fires that are contained stay out,” the division of forestry said.
