Two Kentucky Men Arrested On Arson Charges, Responsible for More Than 150 Wildfires

The Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet said more than 76 percent of the wildfires fought since October were caused by arson and two arrests have been made.

21-year-old Johnny Mullins of Jenkins, Kentucky and an unnamed teenager from Harlan County were arrested last week. In Mullins' case, he fancied himself an amateur weatherman and he said he set the fire to draw more attention to his "selfie videos" on Facebook. Wildfires have been rampant not only here, but in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Carolinas. Governor Matt Bevin issued a State of Emergency on November 3 in response to the almost 40 fires burning in eastern Kentucky.

While October can be dry, Kentucky received little rain last month which made conditions drier than usual and all the more dangerous. Burn bans remain in effect for 72 counties. In our listening area, Ohio, Union, Webster, Muhlenberg, and Hopkins are part of the ban as of Monday.