Interagency approach proves successful for Kentucky wildfire prevention

By the Forest Service
US Department of Agriculture
May 15, 2024
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

KENTUCKY—After decades of challenging fire seasons, the Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky is beginning to see a decline wildfire incidents. This can be attributed to the Daniel Boone National Forest Law Enforcement and Investigations team’s proactive, interagency approach to reducing human-caused wildfire. Over 98% of wildfires in Kentucky are human-caused and nearly 60% can be directly attributed to arson. …In 2016, the forest law enforcement team began conducting interagency fire investigation training with the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources resulting in a skilled law enforcement team. …Eight years later, Daniel Boone National Forest law enforcement officers serve as trusted resources for incident reports and are supported in their wildfire investigations in communities where they were previously opposed. As communities engage with law enforcement … human-caused wildfires continue to decline, are being successfully prosecuted in court and restitution funds are returning to impacted areas.  

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