July 6, 2012 — A few fires are still burning in the Daniel Boone National Forest, but officials expect some relief with this week’s rain.
Firefighters battled separate fires within the forest. Fires on Fugate Branch in Menifee County and at Yocum in Morgan County have challenged crews. Firefighters are trying to gain access to the wildfires to determine the best way to fight them.
The fires are on terrain that is difficult to get the necessary equipment to the teams monitoring the fires.
Dave Manner, district manager for the Cumberland Ranger District, said the fires, luckily, haven't moved much and seem to be causing minimal damage.
The estimated affected area at Fugate Branch is six and a half acres, Manner said.
The number of acres affected in Yocum was unavailable at presstime.
Manner said storms coming in Thursday should provide a relief for the team.
“If we get some showers on it,” Manner said, “maybe we can get a little help with it.”
Officials said they believe both fires were caused by lightning strikes.
Jerry Wheeless, fire management officer, said the Buffalo Branch fire in Rowan County was contained and then controlled by late Tuesday.
“We’re counting on the rain to finish off the last of the hot spots,” he said.
Electric transmission lines owned by East Kentucky Power in the fire area were deactivated during the blaze for safety purposes.
A small brush fire also was contained Tuesday near East Clack Mountain Road. Chief Jeff Anderson of the Morehead Fire Department said firefighters were able to attack the flames quickly and keep the affected area under half an acre.
