As Kentucky is hammered today with a heatwave, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for this afternoon. That means outdoor burning is particularly dangerous this afternoon because of the combination of temperatures flirting with 100 degrees, very low humidity and westerly winds of 10-15 mph.
Thirty-three Kentucky counties have banned outdoor burning, as well as a number of cities across the state. And the Daniel Boone National Forest has banned most fires and all fireworks in the forest. The only fires permitted at present at those in pre-approved campground areas.
So far in Lincoln County, the city of Hustonville has issued burn and fireworks bans. Counties where outdoor burning has been banned include:
Anderson, Ballard, Barren, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Carlisle, Clark, Crittenden, Graves, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Jessamine, Laurel, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Menifee, Mercer, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Powell, Scott, Simpson, Union, Warren, Webster, Whitley and Woodford.
The weather service predicts Bowling Green will see a high of 102 today while Frankfort will hit 99, Lexington 98 and Louisville 103. Stanford is expected to have a high of 99.
Friday's forecast says Bowling Green will see 104, Frankfort 100, Lexington 99 and Louisville 102. Lincoln County could see temperatures as high as 106.
Temperatures won't get any better on Saturday, Sunday or Monday, NWS said. They will moderate only slightly on Tuesday.
Those with serious medical conditions should stay indoors in air conditioning for the next several days and do not leave people or pets in locked cars under any circumstances.
Content from Kentucky News Content Service.
