MONTGOMERY – Since the first of October, a total of 1,028 wildfires have destroyed 11,232 acres across the state of Alabama. And the situation is only getting worse as there is no rain in sight. Yesterday at the site of a recent wildfire in Walker County, Gov. Robert Bentley appealed to citizens regarding the seriousness of the situation. Earlier this month he signed a Drought Emergency Declaration into effect, often referred to as a “No Burn Order,” which prohibits ALL outdoor burning.
A total of 46 counties in north and central Alabama remain under the burn ban. Effective since Oct.12, the order prohibits all outdoor burning. It is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash, debris or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. The regulation also prohibits all open burning and prescribed burns. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn Order is a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in jail.
Additionally, a ‘Fire Alert’ remains in effect for the 21 other counties in south Alabama. While under the Fire Alert, permits for outdoor burning are restricted.
The Alabama Forestry Commission is committed to protecting the state’s invaluable forest assets, as well as serving the citizens and landowners across Alabama. The Drought Emergency Declaration order will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at which time conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. To report persons burning in violation of this law, contact your local law enforcement.
Current wildfire numbers are available at any time on the AFC website – whether for the whole state or by particular county – at www.forestry.alabama.gov . Click on the top button on the left ‘Fire in the Woods’ then select ‘Fire Reports’ for all the stats. For a particular time period, select ‘Fires by Date Range’ in red text on the right, just under the map.
