Fire Weather Awareness Week Day 3

In conjunction with federal and state land management agencies, the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky is participating in the Fire Prevention Awareness Week from October 4h through the 10th. During the week, different topics concerning fire weather and fire prevention will be discussed, which will educate and increase the awareness of fire weather and fire safety.

Fire Weather/Fire Prevention Awareness Week continues today with a look at drought and its effects on wildfires. Kentucky where large portions of those regions of the state were in moderate to severe drought conditions for several weeks. During 2010, 1,830 wildfires were reported across the Commonwealth with 54,593 acres burned, or the highest acres burned total since 2001.

Several months of above normal rainfall occurred across Eastern Kentucky during early 2016. However, most locations have experienced below normal rainfall since mid to late August. Generally, rainfall departures to date for 2016 are near normal to 5 inches above normal across most of the area. However, locations near the VA and TN borders have been drier with departures near 5 inches below normal for the year to date.

Current trends and long range outlooks indicate that there are equal chances of above normal, normal, or below normal temperatures for the remainder of October with equal chances of above normal, normal, or below normal precipitation. The long range outlook for the three month October through December 2015 period, issued by the Climate Prediction Center, indicates that above normal temperatures and equal chances for above normal, normal, and below normal precipitation are anticipated across Eastern Kentucky.

Since the long range forecast indicates that normal or below normal precipitation could occur during the fall fire weather season, it is important to be alert to the increased threat of wildfires during drought conditions or any short-lived dry periods, especially for those whose homes are in forested areas, or those who plan to visit area forests.

The following are some safety tips to help protect life and property from wildfires.

1. Check with your local county judge executive/s office or local, state or federal fire authorities to obtain current fire restriction information.

2. Clear campfire sites down to bare soil. Circle the fire pit with rocks, and build the campfire away from overhanging branches, dry grass or leaves, pine needles, logs and steep slopes.

3. Never leave a camp fire unattended. When putting out a campfire, douse the fire thoroughly with water, stir the ashes and douse it again. Keep a bucket and shovel nearby.

4. Homes near forested areas should have trees and shrubs thinned at least 30 feet from buildings. Remove lower tree branches, especially those that may overhang the roof.

5. Rake and clear surface fuels, such as leaves, limbs and pine needles, away from homes in wooded areas. For detailed information on protecting your home from wildfires, visit the Firewise website at www.firewise.org or https://forestry.ky.gov/wildlandfiremanagement/Pages/KentuckyFirewiseProgram.aspx.

The next topic during Fire Weather/Fire Prevention Awareness Week will be, Red Flag Warning an extreme fire weather condition. For additional fire weather information, please visit the following website: www.weather.gov/jkl/fire.