A wildfire has closed one of the most popular parts of Red River Gorge as crews work a 100-acre area to contain the blaze.“We do have a wildfire in the gorge at the Skybridge recreation area,” said Daniel Boone Forest spokesman Tim Eling.The fire is now in an area with terrain that makes it very difficult to fight.“The problem is, the fire fell off a cliff. It’s really, really high-angle work,” said fire management officer Jerry Wheeless.Crews have started setting back fires in order to create a containment area.“As long as we get 100 feet or so of black on the edge, we feel pretty confident we can let the interior of the fire burn,” Wheeless said. “It’s going to be a bigger footprint but then we can bring the fire to us on our terms.”Firefighters believe the fire was started by the embers of a campfire that was not completely out.The hot, dry conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly.“It’s the driest September on record,” Eling said. “They may be able to get a line around it but we can’t call it out until we get some rain.”Crews expect to be working the fire for at least a week.

A wildfire has closed one of the most popular parts of Red River Gorge as crews work a 100-acre area to contain the blaze.

“We do have a wildfire in the gorge at the Skybridge recreation area,” said Daniel Boone Forest spokesman Tim Eling.


The fire is now in an area with terrain that makes it very difficult to fight.

“The problem is, the fire fell off a cliff. It’s really, really high-angle work,” said fire management officer Jerry Wheeless.

Crews have started setting back fires in order to create a containment area.

“As long as we get 100 feet or so of black on the edge, we feel pretty confident we can let the interior of the fire burn,” Wheeless said. “It’s going to be a bigger footprint but then we can bring the fire to us on our terms.”

Firefighters believe the fire was started by the embers of a campfire that was not completely out.

The hot, dry conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly.

“It’s the driest September on record,” Eling said. “They may be able to get a line around it but we can’t call it out until we get some rain.”

Crews expect to be working the fire for at least a week.