All 67
counties in Alabama currently remain under a 'Fire Alert' which
was originally issued on September 25 by the Alabama
Forestry Commission (AFC). The small amount of rain received throughout
the state in the last few days has not been enough to end drought conditions or
wildfire danger. Since the first of October, AFC wildland firefighters have already responded to 173 wildfires
burning approximately 1,835 acres across Alabama. These numbers include a 365-acre fire in Sumter County and one for
122 acres in Shelby County. In September, the agency recorded 472 wildfires
that scorched over 6,000 acres.
“We are not yet out of this
drought, so we really want to make as stern a warning as we can regarding fire
safety and prevention. As a cold front approaches this weekend, if the winds
intensify and/or relative humidity drops, we will probably see wildfire
activity increase,” said John Goff, AFC Forest Protection Division Director. “With
the arrival of autumn and leaves beginning to fall, we know that people want to
rake and burn to clean up their yards. However, when everything is this dry,
any size fire can escape quickly,” he continued. “We ask citizens to wait until
we receive sufficient rain before doing any burning. Outdoor fires are
extremely dangerous right now. Any spark, from a campfire or even a discarded
cigarette, can trigger a wildfire in these dry conditions.”
The Fire Alert will remain in
effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at which time conditions will
have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. While under a Fire Alert, permits for outdoor burning
are restricted and issued on an individual basis at the discretion of the State
Forester. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn
permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.
The Alabama Forestry
Commission is the state agency committed to protecting Alabama’s invaluable
forest assets as well as its citizens. To report a wildfire, call (800)
392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state
or any other forestry-related issues, visit the agency website at www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Fire/Totals.aspx