No Burn order reduced to Fire Alert in 59 Alabama counties

MONTGOMERY (AP) — The Alabama Forestry Commission downgraded a No Burn order in 59 counties to a Fire Alert on Friday, saying the state has gotten enough rain recently to reduce the threat of a wildfire.

All 67 counties will remain under a Fire Alert until it’s lifted by State Forester Linda Casey.

During a Fire Alert, the commission restricts issuing permits for outdoor burning. Any fire of more than a quarter-acre requires a permit from the Forestry Commission.

The lifting of the Drought Emergency does not remove the open burn restriction issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for 12 counties.

The annual program lasts from May 1 through October 31 and is done to help air quality in the counties during summer months.

The 12 affected counties are: Baldwin, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby, and Talladega.

Casey’s statement Friday reminded residents that the state is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions and all necessary safety precautions should be used when doing any type of burning.

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