Controlled burns at Bankhead and Alabama’s three other national forests are underway, as the USDA attempts to rid forests of accumulated deadfall and brush that fuel wildfires — particularly during the hot and dry late summer and early autumn months.

The controlled burns, also referred to as prescribed fires, are ongoing at the Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega and Tuskegee National Forests in Alabama. This year, federal fire specialists will conduct controlled burns on approximately 89,000 to 100,000 acres of national forest lands. 

The purpose of the burns is to mitigate the supply of potentially hazardous burn material, such as fallen trees and brush, that can fuel wildfires. The burns also help to improve plant and animal habitats that depend on periodic fires. 

Tammy Freeman Brown, public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service, said the current burn cycle is expected to continue, as weather allows, throughout the late winter months and early spring.

“For Bankhead, they’re planning to burn about 18,000 acres, and it’s going to be ongoing for the next several months,” said Freeman Brown. “Before they do any type of burn, the the weather conditions have to be favorable. If the public follows us on social media, they can see the alerts we issue just before a burn is about to take place.”

To stay current on when burns are happening, visit the National Forests in Alabama Twitter page at twitter.com/nfinalabama.

The Forest Service is asking the public to use low-beam headlights, and to watch for uniformed Forest Service personnel while driving in or near the controlled burn areas. Visibility also may be reduced at times because of smoke settling overnight in low-lying areas.

Visit the “Know Before You Go” section at www.fs.usda.gov/alabama for maps that highlight controlled burn areas. Contact the following Forest Service district offices with additional questions about the prescribed burns.

– Bankhead Forest is planning to burn 18,000 acres in Winston and Lawrence Counties. Office phone — (205) 489-5111.

– Conecuh Forest is planning to burn 28,000 acres in Escambia and Covington Counties. Office phone — (334) 222-2555.

– The Talladega and Shoal Creek Districts are planning to burn 25,000 acres in Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne and Talladega Counties. Heflin office phone — (256) 463-2272; Talladega office phone — (256) 362-2909.

– The Talladega Forest – Oakmulgee District is planning to burn 16,000 acres in Bibb, Dallas, Perry, Tuscaloosa, Hale and Chilton Counties. Office phone — (205) 926-9765.

– Tuskegee Forest is planning to burn 2,000 acres in Macon County. Office phone — (334) 727-2652.