HOPKINS COUNTY, KY - With fall hitting Hopkins and surrounding counties full-force and leaves littering yards and ditches around the region, iSurf News has partnered with local Fire Department officials to give our readers a heads up on local burn laws.

Due to the fact that between the dates of October 1 and December 15, Kentucky has declared this Fire Hazard Season. It is important that local citizens know where they stand on public and private burning.

As far as the cities are concerned, Madisonville Fire Department Chief Steve Stoltz stated that there is an ordinance against any burning within the city limits. The only manner in which a citizen might burn within the city limits is if they obtain an official burn permit. Burn permits are generally not for something as minor as leaves, but for individuals and businesses that are burning trees,  limbs and bigger items. These are more often issued to larger pieces of property within the city. Contact your local fire department if you believe that you are entitled to a burn permit.

According to Kentucky Division of Forestry regulations, when burning outside the city limits during the Fall season it is unlawful for anyone to start a fire within 150 feet in any direction of any woodland or brush land  and before 6 P.M. in the evening and after 6 A.M. in the morning. The potential penalties for breaking these laws can be considerable fines and possible imprisonment.

Chief Stoltz commented that as of yet there has been very little reporting of those breaking the current burn laws this season and the majority of Hopkins County has been adhering to the seasonal rules.

J. L. Graham
iSurf News