Fire advisory in effect: Local, state officials warn against dangers as rain avoids area
Published 5:15 am Wednesday, September 18, 2019
- Cullman Fire rescue
A fire danger advisory is in effect for all 67 counties in Alabama.
The advisory, issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, went into effect Tuesday and will continue until significant rainfall is recorded.
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Current drought conditions and persistent high temperatures have combined to create a high probability of fuel ignition and an atmosphere favorable for wildfires. In the last 30 days, Forestry Commission wildland firefighters have battled 192 wildfires burning approximately 2,221 acres of land across the state.
This number includes three fires that were more than 100 acres in Bullock, Choctaw, and Wilcox counties, as well as one that was approximately 500 acres in Mobile County.
The outlook for rain, according to the National Weather Service, is almost non-existent in Cullman County and much of the region through the weekend. The highest chance for showers or thunderstorms is Sunday at 20 percent.
Although the state is not under any type of burn restriction, the Forestry Commission is asking residents to delay outdoor burning until conditions improve. While under the fire danger advisory, all necessary safety precautions should be exercised when doing any type burning. As always, call the Alabama Forestry Commission for a burn permit.
While rain is avoiding the area, an improvement in temperatures is on the way, especially in the evening hours. Today will continue the trend of mid-90s with the high expected at 95, while the overnight low drops to 68.
Then the milder trend begins.
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Thursday’s high is expected at 88, while the nighttime temperature will fall to 62. Football night on Friday will be even better with a low of 59 after a daytime high of 85. Saturday and Sunday highs will be in the high 80s with night temperatures continuing in the low 60s.
Cullman Fire Chief Brian Bradberry said permits to burn within the city must be issued by Fire Marshall Chris Chaffin.
“He looks at everything case by case,” Bradberry said. “The conditions are extremely dry throughout the area.”
State law requires that county residents secure a permit before you burning any woodland, grassland, field or new ground that is more than one-quarter acre in size or lies within 25 feet of natural fuels, such as woods or grass. There is no cost for the permit.
Cullman County Emergency Management Agency Director Phyllis Little said many fires in the county starts from residents burning small piles of rubbish such as limbs.
“Under the current conditions, which will continue for a while, a fire can get out of control easily,” Little said. “There are disturbances in the Gulf and the Atlantic that could possibly send some rain or way, but that wouldn’t be until next week at the earliest.”
The mission of the Forestry Commission is to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources using professionally applied stewardship principles and education, ensuring that the state’s forests contribute to abundant timber and wildlife, clean air and water, and a healthy economy. For more information about the fire situation in your area or any other forestry related issues, contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission office or visit the AFC website at Forestry.Alabama.Gov.