According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry, nearly 900 fires this year have burned 14,530 acres. A third of the fires are the result of arson. (Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet)
Four wildland firefighters from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division traveled to Kentucky on Monday to help with wildfire suppression efforts. The crew’s deployment will last two weeks.
The firefighters were mobilized as part of the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact, which enables participating state forestry agencies to send resources and personnel across state lines to suppress wildfires. Continued drought conditions across southern portions of the country have resulted in an extended fire season, according to a press release.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders authorized the deployment of the crew whose primary role will be responding to and suppressing new fires in eastern Kentucky. The Forestry Division also sent two dozers and two trucks to help with response efforts.
Forestry Division Fire Management Officer Wes McKinney was activated earlier this month as a member of the Southern Area Coordination Center Blue Team to assist in Kentucky.
Gov. Sanders previously approved the deployment of Arkansas firefighters to Oregon in August, Louisiana in September and Mississippi in October.
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