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FIRE ALERT LIFTED FOR 50 ALABAMA COUNTIES
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Linda Casey, State Forester of Alabama, today rescinded the fire alert for 50 Alabama counties, according to the Alabama Forestry Commission.The alert will remain in effect for the following counties in Northwest Alabama: Bibb, Colbert, Cullman, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Marion, Morgan, Pickens Shelby, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston. Burning permits for these counties will be issued at the discretion of the State Forester for the extent of the fire alert. All other counties in the state will have burning permits available, except where restricted by ADEM regulations in Mobile, Baldwin, Montgomery, Russell, Madison, DeKalb, Etowah and Talladega counties. Some prescribed burning will be allowed in these restricted counties for silvicultural or agricultural purposes. According to officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission, these 50 counties have received enough rain over the past few weeks to reduce the threat of wildfire. The rain, combined with lower temperatures, has provided enough moisture in ground fuels to justify lifting the fire alert. Mrs. Casey reminds everyone that the state is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions and to use all necessary safety precautions when doing any type of burning. The Commission will continue to monitor ground moisture levels throughout the state. If ground fuels become exceptionally dry again, it may be necessary to re-issue a fire alert in the affected areas. Also, the rescinding of the fire alert does not remove the restrictions in place prohibiting open fires for Alabama's four national forests. Additional information about the National Forests' "no open fires" order can be found at:
www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama. For more information, contact any Alabama Forestry Commission county office or visit the Commission Web page at
www.forestry.alabama.gov.
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