MONTGOMERY – Because extremely dry weather conditions and low humidity have combined to create an atmosphere favorable for wildfires, the Alabama Forestry Commission has issued a Fire Danger Warning for 46 Alabama counties effective immediately, until appreciable rainfall is received. These counties include: Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.
According to fire officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Fire Danger Warning was issued because of current drought conditions, continued lack of precipitation, high probability of fuel ignition, and shortage of available manpower and resources. In the last seven days, 142 wildfires have occurred in north Alabama burning approximately 1,500 acres of land. Although the state is not under any type of burning restriction, the Commission is urging everyone to delay outdoor burning until conditions improve if at all possible. While under the fire danger warning, all necessary safety precautions should be exercised when doing any type of burning. As always, call the Alabama Forestry Commission for a burn permit.
The mission of the Alabama Forestry Commission is to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources using professionally applied stewardship principals and education, ensuring that the state’s forests contribute to abundant timber and wildlife, clean air and water, and a healthy economy. For more information about the fire situation in your area or any other forestry related issues, contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission office or visit the AFC website at www.forestry.alabama.gov.
