Firefighters Respond To Same Forest Fire For Third Time In Four Days

Firefighters spray water into a low-lying wooded area off Laurel Ridge Road.

Darren Doyle, story
Pat Prunty, photos
What started as a fairly simple brush fire in a wooded area on Laurel Ridge Road in the Cave Hollow Bay area has ended up giving firefighters more than they bargained for as flare ups rekindled today for the third time in four days.

Emergency workers first responded to the scene on Sunday afternoon where apparently someone was cleaning up and burning limbs and debris on the property and the burning trash quickly got out of hand. Firefighters were able to control the blaze that evening but it has rekindled multiple times since.

Firefighter from the KY Forestry Division on scene.

Volunteer firemen work at the scene.

"Conditions are just so dry out here," said Edmonson County Emergency Management Director Pat Prunty. "We've had about 25 guys out here today doing everything they can. The fire is is within a 5-10 acre area but it's on a steep hillside and there's just no easy way of getting to it."

Prunty said the Lincoln, Bear Creek, Kyrock, and Brownsville Fire Departments have all responded and were on sight today. He also said the Kentucky State Forestry Division was on scene this afternoon.

Keeping a water supply was difficult in the adverse conditions.

"We've had Edmonson County EMS on standby in the event of heat exhaustion or other accident," Prunty said. "These conditions are very difficult for any of us to work through." 

Firefighters cleared the scene this afternoon with hopes of finally having the fire completely extinguished.