June 29, 2012 — As The Morehead News went to press Thursday afternoon, two woodland fires had been extinguished in Rowan County but a larger blaze apparently was burning out of control.
Local fire officials said high temperatures, strong winds and lack of rain had created ideal conditions for wildfires.
Firefighters from the Farmers Volunteer Fire Department quickly doused a brush fire near the main runway of the Morehead-Rowan County Clyde A. Thomas Regional Airport.
Meanwhile, the Elliottville Volunteer Fire Department was extinguishing a wildfire on Kegley Ridge off KY 32.
However, a fire near the Jaycee Farm east of Morehead off US 60 was spotted in the early afternoon but fire crews initially were stymied in efforts to reach the blaze.
Billowing white smoke was visible for several miles above the dense woodlands of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Jeff Anderson, chief of Morehead Fire Rescue, said the high winds were whipping the flames toward KY 32 (Christy Creek) but crews were unable to access the fire directly.
It was reported that a bulldozer might be used to cut a path to the fire.
The newspaper was unable to secure a comment from anyone in the U. S. Forest Service or Kentucky Division of Forestry.
