Crittenden and Livingston Counties Issue Burn Bans Amid Extreme Fire Risk
PADUCAH, Ky. — Two more western Kentucky counties have issued burn bans as dry conditions and low humidity continue to elevate the risk of wildfires. Leaders in Crittenden and Livingston counties announced the restrictions this week, joining a growing list of regions implementing similar measures, according to the Paducah Sun.
Crittenden County’s Order
On Monday, Crittenden County Judge Executive Perry Newcom signed an executive order prohibiting all outdoor burning until further notice.
Citing “continued dry and low humidity weather conditions” and forecasts showing no immediate relief, Newcom warned that the fire danger is “extreme.”
“I urge all Crittenden County citizens and visitors to comply with this order for the safety, protection and preservation of all public and private properties and resources,” Newcom wrote.
Livingston County Declares Local Emergency
A day later, Livingston County Judge Executive Michael Williams issued a similar order, declaring a local state of emergency.
His order prohibits all open burning except for fires used in official firefighting training. Williams emphasized the risk posed not only to natural resources but also to firefighters and the public if wildfires spread in current conditions.
Violating the ban will be treated as a Class A misdemeanor under Kentucky law, with state, local, and county law enforcement authorized to enforce the order.
Wider Impact Across Kentucky
Crittenden and Livingston join several other west Kentucky counties — including Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, and Marshall — already under burn bans.
Elsewhere across the state, bans have also been declared in Barren, Bourbon, Boyd, Bracken, Clark, Fleming, Franklin, Harrison, Henry, Jessamine, Johnson, LaRue, Lewis, Logan, Marion, Mason, Mercer, Metcalfe, Robertson, Shelby, Spencer, Todd, Trimble, Washington, and the cities of Augusta, Edmonton, and Hodgenville.
State Monitoring Conditions
The Kentucky Division of Forestry continues to monitor wildfire risks and has encouraged counties to act quickly as the late-summer drought worsens. Officials urge residents to respect local burn bans to reduce the chance of accidental fires.
As extreme dryness lingers, Kentucky communities are bracing for a challenging wildfire season. For more severe weather and public safety updates across the Midwest and South, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.