June 28, 2012 — More than a dozen federal and state firefighters were trying Thursday night to contain a fire that had consumed about 40 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan County.
The blaze erupted earlier Thursday between the Jaycee Farm off US 60 east of Morehead and KY 32 on Christy Creek.
District Ranger David Manner of the U. S. Forest Service said two bulldozers were being used to create a fire break around the blaze to keep it away from private property.
“We believe we can hold it to less than 100 acres if the wind doesn’t create a problem,” Manner said. “Some of the terrain is so steep that we’re clearing by hand.”
The cause of the blaze is unknown but a power line crosses that section of the forest near Buffalo Branch.
Once the fire is contained, Manner said it might take two days to clear the hot spots which are burning on the forest floor.
“This dry weather makes it worse because a fire can smolder deep in the cover,” he added.
Manner said the Forest Service appreciates help from the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the use of the Jaycee Farm as a staging area.
No injuries have been reported. No structures are threatened at this time, according to Manner.
Earlier Thursday, wildfires were extinguished at the Morehead-Rowan County Regional Airport and on Kegley Ridge near Elliottville.
