PADUCAH, KY - As drought conditions continue and the fire danger increases throughout the region, you can add several more counties to the list of those with burn bans.
Burn bans have now been implemented in the following Kentucky counties:
Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, and Trigg.

In Illinois, burn bans are in effect in Alexander, Gallatin, Pope and Pulaski.

Additionally, burn bans have been implemented in the following communities:
Cairo, Golconda, Shawneetown, Cave-in-Rock, and Rosiclare.

Due to increasingly dry vegetative conditions, more counties may post burn bans that prohibit any open burning.

Paducah Assistant Chief of Police Stacey Grimes says residents have been accepting of both the burn ban and the fireworks ban, and that no citations have been issued as of Tuesday afternoon.

"So far, the community has been receptive for the most part...I think it's a result of all the favorable media attention that we're getting about the potential damages that could be incurred. You know, I think a lot of people are trying to be good neighbors."

Shooting fireworks is banned as of Monday, July 2, in Lyon County, according to Lt. Jamie Green of the Eddyville Police Department. Also, Ballard County Emergency Management Director Anita Bugg says that shooting fireworks in that county is prohibited as, due to fire risks. McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry has also signed an executive order banning the use of fireworks. The downtown Paducah fireworks show is the only exception. Fireworks are also banned in Fulton County.

Since burning is banned in Trigg County, Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area’s Area Supervisor signed a temporary closure order prohibiting open fires anywhere on the forest except in metal campfire rings, in developed campgrounds only.

Elsewhere, residents are urged to consult local authorities before burning or setting off fireworks.