LEXINGTON, Ky. — An open burning ban was issued for Fayette County on Wednesday following days of substantial forest fires in neighboring Estill County.

The ban takes effect immediately and will last until Friday, Nov. 11, the Lexington Fire Department said. Rain is expected Thursday night, but the ban could be extended if rainfall is deemed insufficient by officials.

Fayette County is under an "elevated risk of fire damage" due to low rainfall amounts, high winds and low humidity, according to the National Weather Service. That, coupled with multiple grass and forest fires raging in Estill County, necessitated the burn ban, officials said.

Estill County is located southeast of Lexington, near Richmond. The county of just over 14,000 people has been experiencing drought conditions for months.

The Estill County Emergency Management Agency has shared several photos and video of crews fighting the ongoing forest fires. They've reported two separate "huge" fires raging in the county.

Strong smells of smoke stemming from the fires were reported throughout Lexington, including at the University of Kentucky, on Wednesday. The Lexington Fire Department is responding to smoke calls, but there were no reported fire incidents as of Wednesday morning.

Fire officials says residents should avoid setting any fires outdoors until the ban is lifted. That includes cooking and construction debris fires. Open burn permits are also suspended.