Alabama is now under a statewide fire alert. Here's what that means
Dry conditions across Alabama have woods and fields tinderbox dry, and now the Alabama Forestry Commission has issued a statewide fire alert.
While under a fire alert, permits for outdoor burning will be restricted. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.
“This burning restriction is being issued because of the current drought situation, continued lack of precipitation, and high probability of fuel ignition,” said Elishia Ballentine, spokeswoman for the commission. With this extremely dry weather, any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to forests but also threatening lives and destroying property, she said.
If you are burning debris, or clearing fields or woods, contact the forestry commission to get a burn permit.
Forecasts show the alert may be in place for an extended period of time. According two the weekly drought monitor, about three-fourths of the state is considered abnormally dry. That area includes Tuscaloosa, but does not include Montgomery or Gadsden. Elmore County, Montgomery County and the city of Prattville are not in the abnormally dry zone, but an area of Autauga County west of Autaugaville is in the zone.
That abnormally dry area is expected to expand during the next drought update, which will be released Thursday.
There's a better chance of light, widespread showers this week, said Daniel Martin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. Expect a 30 to 40 percent chance of rain each day through the workweek before drier conditions return for the weekend.
And there likely won’t be much help on the horizon. October is usually the driest month of the year in Alabama, with Montgomery averaging just under three inches of rain for the month.
The fire alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the state forester, at which time conditions will have changed enough to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires.
To report a wildfire, call the Alabama Forestry Commission at (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 www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Fire/Totals.aspx.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama is now under a statewide fire alert. Here's what that means
