Drought and burn ban update

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Apart from some scattered showers Saturday night, South-Central Kentucky has experienced an exceptionally dry stretch over the past few weeks.

The persistent dry spell has pushed the region back into “abnormally dry” territory, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, reversing a brief period earlier this summer when we finally eliminated the drought status.

Weeks of hot, dry weather have baked local soils, heavily stressing crops, local plants, and grasslands. Lawns across the region have been left bone-dry, creating a dangerous amount of fuel for potential wildfires.

To combat the rising wildfire risk, local emergency management and county officials have enacted immediate outdoor burn bans for the following counties:

• Barren County
• Edmonson County
• Grayson County
• Logan County
• Metcalfe County
• Monroe County
• Ohio County
• Simpson County
• Warren County

Under these active orders, all open outdoor burning is strictly prohibited. This includes campfires, brush piles, bonfires, and the lighting of fireworks.

For up-to-date information on current burn bans, see our previous coverage.

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