The Division of Forestry is responsible for fighting wildland fires on private lands and enforcing forest fire hazard seasons and other outdoor burning regulations.

Kentucky forest fire hazard seasons occur Feb. 15 through April 30 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 15.  During this time, it is illegal to burn between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland.  For more information about outdoor burning regulations and forest fire hazard seasons, please visit outdoor burning regulations and laws. For information about wildland fire prevention and safe burning practices, please visit wildland fire prevention. 

To report a fire, please contact the district office that serves your county. To Report Forest Arson: Call the Target Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON.  Forest Arson is a Felony.  Intentionally setting fire to land owned by someone else is a felony under state law (KRS 149.380) and is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. For more information, please click wildland fire arson. 

For current information regarding fire activity, year-to-date fire statistics and county burn bans, please click on the link below.

Current Wildland Fire Activity Report

The principal factors that greatly influence the start and spread of wildfires are weather, fuel and topography.  Of these three factors, weather is the most variable and impacts fire behavior most often.  The main weather factors that have an effect on fire behavior are temperature, wind and relative humidity.

Wind increases the rate and the direction of fire spread.  Relative humidity and temperature mainly affect fuel moisture.  Changes in the weather, such as an approaching cold front, can greatly affect wind speed and direction, temperature and relative humidity, which in turn can greatly affect wildfire behavior.  It is important to understand the relationship of weather to fire behavior and stay aware of any weather changes.  For more information, click on the division's Wildfire and Weather brochure. 

For current fire weather and forecasts in Kentucky, click on the following:

Jackson Fire Weather 
Louisville Fire Weather
Paducah Fire Weather

2003 - 2008 Wildfire Charts

2009 Kentucky and District Fires

1945 - 2008 Historical Wildland Fire Statistics

Kentucky Fire Summary 1960 - 2008

Ten-Year Summary of Wildfire Activity and Causes