BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Sunday turned into a grueling, nearly around-the-clock fight for volunteer firefighters across Martin County. Departments joined the Kentucky Division of Forestry to battle multiple wind-driven wildfires that spread rapidly and threatened homes, roadways and utility infrastructure.
Inez Volunteer Fire Department Chief Lee Gauze said about 14 volunteers from his department worked all of Sunday. They responded to 10 fires, nine of them wildfires, as dangerous conditions pushed flames across hillsides.
“Our guys worked tirelessly to protect the property and homes of our residents,” Gauze said. “Fighting wildfires, especially in windy conditions, can prove to be very dangerous. Thankfully there were no injuries and everyone made it home safe to fight another day.”
The Inez department’s nine wildfire calls were in three main areas: Emily Creek/North Wolf Creek, New Route 3 and Blacklog Road. Crews moved from one emergency to the next throughout the day and late into the night.
IVFD responded to separate incidents at Emily Creek at 2:25 p.m.; Tunnel Road and North Wolf Creek at 2:59 p.m.; New Route 3 at 3:35 p.m.; New Route 3 again at 4:32 p.m.; Tunnel Road at 5:36 p.m.; Blacklog Road at 7:19 p.m.; Emily Creek at 8:27 p.m.; New Route 3 at about 8:35 p.m.; Blacklog Road at 9:53 p.m.; and New Route 3 again at 10:23 p.m.
In the middle of that barrage, firefighters also answered a mutual aid call at around 9:30 p.m. for a structure fire on Long Branch Road in Lovely. Flames and heavy smoke were visible at the home, but firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.
One of the department’s New Route 3 responses involved assisting the Kentucky Division of Forestry with what Gauze described as the largest wildfire of the day. This fast-moving fire had spread to the four-lane highway.
“Entire trees were completely engulfed,” said Gauze. “The high winds fed the flames, sending sparks flying in all directions, spreading the blaze at an alarming rate. The fire was burning right next to the guardrails. Smoke made it almost impossible for drivers to see where they were going, especially with the way the wind was blowing.”
According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry, about 269 acres were scorched Sunday on New Route 3. Emily Creek accounted for another 71 acres, while 61 acres burned on Blacklog Road and 60 acres on North Wolf Creek.
The origins of most of the wildfires remain under investigation, Gauze said. However, he confirmed that one Emily Creek fire started after high winds brought down an electrical line.
By late Sunday night, precipitation moved into the county bringing a welcome relief after an exhausting day.
Warfield and Pigeon Roost firefighters also stayed busy.
Pigeon Roost Volunteer Fire Department (PRVFD) Chief Eric Jude mentioned a home in the White Oak area of Emily Creek that was in the direct path of an advancing inferno.
“Fire was only 10 to 15 feet from a section of the home belonging to Ronnie and Karen,” Jude said. “Thankfully the firefighters were successful and there was no damage to the structure.”
The Pigeon Roost department alone used 11 tanker loads of water over 12 to 16 hours, roughly 10,000 gallons, according to Jude.
As crews continued mopping up hot spots, both Gauze and Jude stressed the importance of complying with Kentucky’s spring fire hazard season restrictions, which remain in effect through April 30. Under that law, outdoor burning is prohibited during the day and allowed only from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Gauze warns residents not to burn anytime when there is a chance of high winds.
“All it takes is one spark and before you know it the fire is out of control,” he said.
Jude echoed that warning, especially for residents preparing garden plots for spring planting.
“Don’t start a controlled burn unless you have a water source nearby or a fire extinguisher, just in case a hillside or area outside the garden accidentally catches on fire,” he said. “You may think you’re able to prevent any issue and that you don’t need to plan. But all it takes is a gust of wind and in the blink of an eye, you’ve got an out-of-control blaze.”