Wild fires continue to rage in Southeastern, Kentucky representing a 664 percent increase in November fires over 2015. Five hundred people are still fighting the flames.
So far this month, 130 wild fires have burned almost 15,000 acres in the 16 counties. State Division of Forestry Spokesman Mark Weidewitsch said at this point last year, 17 fires consumed 200 acres.
Only one structure has been lost, Weidewitsch said. Local volunteer fire departments work to preserve structures, he said, allowing state firefighters to focus on wild fires.
According to Weidewitsch, four people have been arrested on arson-related charges in Clay, Harlan, Letcher, and McCreary counties. A weather system may provide help in snuffing out fires by the end of the week, he said.
