Kentucky Issues State of Emergency for Wildfire
In the first instance since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) had updated the rules regarding States of Emergency, Governor Andy Beshar of Kentucky has signed off on one that applies to truckers.
Details
The entire Declaration can be read on the relevant webpage. It starts by mentioning drought that is causing wildfires to emerge statewide, causing the need for a Declaration.
“Beginning on November 3, 2023, and continuing, drought conditions intensified across the Commonwealth, resulting in increased threats of wildfires. Wildfires are now active across the Commonwealth, with numerous uncontrolled wildfires in eastern Kentucky. Long-range weather forecasts predict a statewide potential for additional fires with threats of major impacts to health and safety of citizens, infrastructure, governmental properties, local economies, and private properties…”
The part that applies to truckers is section 6:
“The Division of Emergency Management is authorized to request assistance, including such federal, state, local, private sector, volunteer, and donated resources as may be available, to minimize human suffering and to restore essential services to the general population and to assist state and local governments and individuals impacted by this emergency.”
This means that it is likely the Division of Emergency Management will work with trucking companies for the delivery of emergency goods for those displaced by the wildfires, such as blankets and bottled water.
Conclusion
The wildfires ravaging the Bluegrass State have been relentless, with firefighters from other states traveling to help in the battle.
If you are interested in seeing the locations of the wildfires for yourself, there is a handy website offering a map of the United States. Looking now, we can see that a large cluster of wildfires exist in the southeastern corner of Kentucky, but what you see may vary as the website updates constantly.
The State of Emergency is, based on new FMCSA guidelines, expected to last 14 days, but can be expanded in 14 day intervals as the need arises. Hopefully, the wildfires will not last so long as to justify an extension, and the people of Kentucky can recover from the disasters quickly.
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