Burning restrictions remain in place throughout the State of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Department of Forestry is advising residents to use caution when burning.

From February 15 through April 30, there is to be no burning from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and fires must be at least 150 feet from a wooded area.

According to a statement from KDF, by restricting burning until after 6 p.m., winds are typically lower and the humidity is higher, making outdoor fires more manageable and less likely to become wildfires.

Arson does continue to be the leading cause of wildfires in Kentucky and will be a focus of the division. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officers will be assisting with investigating arson-caused wildfires.

Arson is a felony charge and anyone convicted can face fines and imprisonment.

If you are considering doing outdoor burning, you are encouraged to read the Kentucky Division for Air Quality’s web page or contact the Division for Air Quality at 502-782-6592 to learn about specific regulations before burning.

WRIL contributed to some information included in this story.