Fighting fires takes Casey forest ranger to other states

April 20, 2015

36Pab,

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A part-time job led to a full-time career for Casey County native John Wethington, fighting for the wildlands of Kentucky and the United States.

Wethington, who is rounding out 19 years as a forest ranger for the Kentucky Division of Forestry, started as a part-time employee assisting the then-forest ranger for Casey County.

At that time, he and wife Tina ran a country store on Ky. 78 in the county.

Wethington worked for a year and a half before the ranger decided to retire, opening a full-time position.

Over the years, the number of rangers has decreased while coverage areas have increased. Wethington now monitors Casey, Lincoln and Taylor counties, with his office in Campbellsville.