Latest news with #RobertMaddox
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
MVFR, Alabama Forestry Commission asking residents to stop burning during Wildfire Advisory
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Residents in Madison County and across Alabama are asked to stop any and all burns this weekend as conditions are favorable for wildfires. Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue is asking residents to stop burning anything for the remainder of the weekend. Several agencies near Lauderdale Co. respond to fire involving over 50 vehicles The department said conditions in the area are 'encouraging for wildfire formation,' and several MVFR units are responding to multiple brush fires. The Alabama Forestry Commission posted Friday that a Wildfire Advisory is in effect through the weekend and burning is 'strongly discouraged.' You can read the commission's full statement about the advisory below. The Alabama Forestry Commission continues to strongly discourage outdoor burning until conditions improve. Now through the weekend, burn permits will be restricted to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers only. Special attention should be given to local weather outlets as fire weather conditions may change suddenly. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor. Anyone who has burned in the last few days should check their fires to make sure they are properly extinguished. Smoking piles immediately adjacent to flammable vegetation have the chance to rekindle and spread under these conditions. In addition to already dry conditions, predicted gusty winds and dropping relative humidities will combine to create dangerous wildfire behavior. These conditions create a greater-than-average potential for outdoor fires to escape easily and spread rapidly, taking longer – and more of the agency's firefighting resources – to contain and ultimately control. Fast-moving wildfires not only destroy property and forests but also threaten the lives of citizens and endanger firefighters. Alabama Forestry Commission Both Toney Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Harvest Volunteer Fire Department have posted photos from fires that crews are working to extinguish during the Wildfire Advisory. 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. 'There is technically not a No Burn in effect,' Robert Maddox with AFC told News 19. '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.' Best Cars for Teens for 2025 MVFR, Alabama Forestry Commission asking residents to stop burning during Wildfire Advisory Cuomo jumps into New York mayor's race, attempting political comeback Browns Ferry Road reopens for through traffic The Most Reliable New Cars for the Money for 2025 However, Maddox said the commission may have to issue a fire alert or a No Burn Order if wildfires continue. 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, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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. Hanceville City Council votes to table fate of police department 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. ' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
