Daniel Boone National Forest announces prescribed burns, fire season reminders

Release Date: Feb 15, 2024

Contact(s): Tim Eling

WINCHESTER, February 15, 2024— With the start of Kentucky’s spring wildfire hazard season, wildland fire crews are setting up shop across the Daniel Boone National Forest. These crews will be on call to respond to wildfires throughout the spring fire season, which lasts from February 15 to April 30. They will also carry out a number of prescribed burns to reduce hazardous fuels, restore wildlife habitat and improve forest health. 

“Prescribed fire is a vital land management tool for both the Daniel Boone National Forest and other Kentucky land managers,” said acting Daniel Boone National Forest Fire Management Officer Michael Mattmiller. “Each prescribed burn is carefully planned to remove the accumulated smaller forest litter and brush that could serve as easy fuel for a wildfire, and recycle those nutrients back into the soil to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. This process is essential for certain native species, like white oak, which depend on fire to clear competing species from the area and to enrich the soil.” 

All prescribed burns are thoroughly planned and analyzed by a team of specialists to ensure that wildlife, fisheries, rare plants and historic sites are not harmed. Experienced fire managers will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and local residents. Prior to the planned ignition of a burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area. Depending on weather conditions, fire managers plan to burn between 15,000 and 27,000 acres on the Forest this spring. 

“We have very strict requirements for prescribed burns,” said Mattmiller. “We wait for the perfect combination of conditions to make sure that we are putting the right amount of fire in the right place at the right time to have the right impact … all while keeping our firefighters safe.” 

Early spring, when weather is mild and trees have not yet begun to bud, is often that “right time” to conduct a prescribed burn. It is also the start of Kentucky’s spring wildfire hazard season. 

“Over the winter, hazardous fuels, like downed tree limbs or fallen leaves, build up in the forest and create the perfect conditions for a campfire to escape or a spark to catch,” said Mattmiller. “During the spring wildfire hazard season, it’s even more important that all visitors stay fire safe and fully extinguish all campfires while our wildland fire crews work to safely reduce these fuel loads.” 

To stay up-to-date alerts with current prescribed burns on the Daniel Boone National Forest, visit the “Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker” at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/DBNF/PrescribedFire or follow the Forest on social media @DanielBooneNF.