Shawn Torres, of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, starts a backburn while battling the Kinyon Road Fire on Saturday, July 7, 2012 west of Castleford, Idaho. More than 150 firefighters are fighting the blaze that has consumed over 75,000 acres.(AP Photo/Times-News, Ashley Smith)
Frankfort, Ky (WKYT) - A crew of 20 Kentucky firefighters has been ordered through the Kentucky Interagency Coordination Center to assist with wildfires in Idaho.
The crew is comprised of firefighters from the Kentucky Division of Forestry. When they get to Idaho they will be assigned to the Trinity Ridge Fire.
In addition to the 20-member crew, four single-resource KDF personnel are currently assisting with wildfire in Arkansas, California, Oklahoma and Oregon. “We are fortunate that wildfire conditions in Kentucky have improved, which allowed us to provide these resources,” said Leah MacSwords, director for KDF.
Wildfires continue to burn out of control in parched areas across the western United States and the long-term weather forecast, showing no relief in sight, prompted the request for Kentucky’s help. Although wildfire activity in Kentucky has decreased since earlier in the summer, drought conditions remain a concern and a few counties are still enforcing burn bans.
Forestry officials continue to stress to the public that wildfire activity in Kentucky is still higher than normal for this time of year and to be cautious with any activity that could create a spark or cause a wildfire to spread.
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