Weather conditions are a big factor when choosing to head out and explore Kentucky. There's nothing like a beautiful day in the Bluegrass, but our weather can also cause conditions that bring about damage to the natural beauty of our state. Wildfires in Kentucky are not something we often hear too much about, but as parts of the state experience drought conditions, fire is a huge concern. Unfortunately, there are currently wildfires in areas of our state, including Red River Gorge, and these dry conditions are not expected to improve anytime soon.

Red River Gorge is a well known hiking and camping spot in Kentucky that attracts locals and visitors throughout the year.

There are so many scenic trails from which to choose throughout the Gorge and one of the favorites is the hike to Sky Bridge. The views from below and from above are stunning.

Unfortunately, on September 30th an escaped campfire altered those views and began causing devastation to the area near the bridge.

The campfire was either left unattended or was not completely extinguished. Due to the drought conditions, there is currently a ban on campfires throughout Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest, aside from a few designated places.

Firefighters have been battling this fire since it began, as well as others in the forest.

As of this past Friday, October 4th, the fire near Sky Bridge was 80% contained. There are extra workers and volunteers in the area to help stop these fires and prevent them from starting and spreading.

Photos and video from these fires are just beginning to be shared and the images are heartbreaking.

A forest that is much loved in Kentucky and trails that are traversed by so many are being damaged, but thankfully they are being aggressively battled.

Workers are making their way through the forest, looking for hot spots that need to be put out.

Of course the extremely dry conditions are why these fires can begin so easily, which is why the ban is in place. And even though the area is forecasted to finally receive rain, the drought conditions are expected to last into December.

If you are planning to visit Red River Gorge in the upcoming weeks, there is no reason to cancel your trip.

The map above shows the area that is currently closed due to the wildfires in Kentucky. As long as you avoid this area, there are still plenty of beautiful trails to explore throughout the Gorge.

As fall color begins to set in, this is one of the most popular times to visit our scenic Red River Gorge.

To keep it scenic and to prevent other wildfires in Kentucky, we must follow the guidelines put in place by the U.S. Forest Service. As firefighters and others fight the current fires, we can look forward to the time when the views from Sky Bridge will again be accessible and look like the image above.

Wildfires in Kentucky pose a significant threat to our forests, especially during these dry weather conditions. It is always important to abide by guidelines when it comes to campfires and to show our state's natural beauty the utmost respect. Have you hiked around the Sky Bridge? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

For the most up-to-date information on wildfires in Kentucky within Daniel Boone National Forest, follow along with the area and the U.S. Forest Service here.