Hopkinsville, KY. – Fire officials in Christian County, Kentucky were kept busy Thursday with a brush fire that broke out around 1:00 p.m. and has burned hundreds of acres along the Pennyrile Parkway north of the City of Crofton in Christian County.
 
Authorities in Christian County believe the fire started this afternoon when a tree fell across a power line and ignited the dry grass and brush.  The fire burned mainly in a rural area and as of late Thursday no homes have been damaged but residents nearest the blaze were notified to be ready in case they have to evacuate.
 
The Pennyrile Parkway was actually shut down this afternoon when the fire jumped across the roadway and heavy smoke fanned by windy conditions continues to make travel in the some areas difficult.  The record breaking heat is another issue with one firefighter reportedly being treated for heat exhaustion.
 
At least nine fire departments responded to the blaze which included the Hopkinsville Fire Department and other volunteer fire departments.  The Pennyrile Parkway between Exit 23 and near mile marker 34 is expected to be shut down for the rest of the night.
 
Toni Majors with the Emergency Communications Center in Hopkinsville spoke with Clarksvillenow.com late Thursday night.  “There are still units on the fire scene and it has been turned over to forestry and at this moment they are doing back burns trying to contain the fire,” said Majors.




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