28-02-2025
Alabama Forestry discouraging outdoor burning due to weather conditions
ALABAMA (WHNT) — The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is asking people to avoid starting outdoor fires due to recent conditions.
AFC said it has seen a significant uptick in wildfires recently due to dry conditions and gusty winds, but now a drop in relative humidity is causing it to ask the public to use caution.
The commission said the three factors together combine to make dangerous wildfire behavior, such as fires having a great potential to escape containment easily and spread rapidly.
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The Forestry Commission said permits for outdoor burning won't be issued on Friday, Feb. 28 due to the conditions. The agency said anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a class B misdemeanor.
AFC said there have been 130 wildfires in the last seven days across the state which has burned around 3,000 acres of forest land.
Robert Maddox with the AFC said the agency's notice asking people not to burn is not a No Burn Order, but people should take the recommendation seriously.
'There is technically not a No Burn in effect,' he told News 19's Jessica Camuto. 'What is in effect is that no burn permits for outdoor burning will be issued by the Forestry Commission and we are encouraging those cities that issue their own to do so as well.'
However, Maddox said the commission may have to issue a fire alert or a No Burn Order if wildfires continue.
'If there is still significant numbers of wildfires, the next step may be a Fire Alert, if things continue then a No Burn with stiffer criminal penalties,' he said. 'It is now on the public to exercise caution and common sense. It is too dry and windy to burn now. Think of the first responders that will tied up fighting fire and not responding to other calls, like medical or wrecks. '
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