The fall wildland fire season is officially underway. The threat of fire in wooded areas can mean responses from urban fire departments.
About a dozen people serve on the wildland firefighting team in Pikeville. Senior Battalion Chief Mitch Case says grant funding helped establish the special unit in 2017 with proper training and protective gear. Case said Pike Countians living in rural areas can play a role in reducing wildland fires.
“Homeowners and property owners doing the best they can to keep everything cleaned up. That way it doesn’t help those fires from starting,” said Case.
Case noted the Pikeville crew works alongside State Division of Forestry firefighters. He added most of the fires in wooded areas are accidental in nature.
Case said its important for residents to stick to the outdoor burning schedule between 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.
“The dew settling in, the pressure is low. That way it’s pushing everything down to the ground. It’s not going to pick up those embers that are gonna be during brushfires that people do to clean up their property. It’s not gonna carry it miles and miles away to start something else,” said Case.
The fall wildland fire season runs from the first of October through December 15th.
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