Nearly 200 acres continue to burn in the Pitts – Betsy Ridge area of Estill County this afternoon. The plume of smoke can be seen for miles and Estill Countians report ashes falling like rain in some areas of the county.
Estill County Fire Cheif Derrick Muncie tells WBON TV9 that the fire apparently started just before 4 PM yesterday on approximately 3 acres of land at the bottom of the mountain. The chief would not discuss the exact cause of the fire because that is an ongoing investigation.
Chief Muncie says forestry crews attempted to make a cut in the blaze last night around dusk at the top of the mountain under the cliff, but those efforts were unsuccessful as the fire jumped the line. Forestry service officials are working to make cut lines around homes in the area as the fire is expected to burn to the road at Pitts, according to Chief Muncie.
Dozers are also being utilized as well as expected helicopter drops to help contain the fire and limit damage today. Chief Muncie pleaded with citizens to not burn under the current conditions, and said the dryness and winds today were hampering efforts further.
“ As of now nothing is contained,” Muncie stated in our interview earlier today. WBON-TV9 is following the story and will have more pictures and video today on our live at five newscast.
