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Fire Warning Descriptions
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Fire Alert - (Issued
by the Alabama Forestry Commission) |
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When weather conditions are such that there are an abnormal
number of wildfires, or several unusually large wildfires in an
area, or when there is an issue with severe smoke causing air
quality degradation, The State Forester may issue a Fire Alert for
specified counties. This allows the Alabama Forestry Commission to
restrict the issuing of
Burning permits. On most days, permits are issued
to everyone who meets the requirements of the permit law. During a
Fire Alert, only Certified Prescribed Burn Managers with adequate
manpower and equipment may be issued a permit.
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Drought Emergency - (Issued
by the Governor) |
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A Drought Emergency can be declared when a Fire Alert fails to
control a wildfire situation. Generally this occurs when the
Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is over 600 and there are on
average more than 1 wildfire per county per day over a wide area.
The State Forester works with the Governor’s Office to issue a
formal regulation, which has the effect of law. A Drought Emergency
is commonly called a “No Burn Order” and prohibits any outdoor
burning, including any prescribed burns, camp fires, trash fires.
The regulations allow barbeque fires for cooking IF the fire is in a
charcoal grill or masonry barbeque pit, including large barbeque
pits used by civic organizations to prepare food. Anyone grilling or
barbequing during the Drought Emergency should have water hoses on
site to prevent any loose sparks from setting a wildfire, a circle
at least 10 feet wide around the grill should be cleared of any
burnable material. Side fires to generate coals for a barbeque must
also be within a grill or masonry pit. Gas grills are allowed. |
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| Red Flag Warning
- (Issued by the National Weather Service) |
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The National Weather Service issues a “Red Flag Warning” for
specific areas when weather conditions indicate a high fire danger
potential. A warning is issued when the relative humidity is lower
than 30 percent; winds are greater than 10 miles per hour and the
KBDI is over 500 OR the area is under a Fire Alert. Generally these
conditions may lead to higher chances of a wildfire occurring and
higher chances of a fire spreading out of control. |
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| Summer Burning
Restrictions (Issued by Alabama Department of
Environmental Management) |
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Under ADEM regulations, non-agricultural burns are not allowed during the
months of May, June, July, August, September, and October. Counties
include Baldwin, Dekalb, Etowah, Jefferson*, Lawrence, Madison,
Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby, and Talladega.
In an effort to uphold these restrictions, the Alabama Forestry
Commission (AFC) does not issue burn permits for miscellaneous burns
or for land clearing in these counties in these months. Burn permits
may only be issued for: (1) fuel reduction, (2) wildlife, (3)
hardwood control, (4) other understory, (5) piled debris (for
silvicultural site prep only), (6) scattered debris, and (7)
agriculture. For more information contact Lud Hoffmann, ADEM,
334-271-7879.
*Note, no permits for ANY prescribed burns will be issued in
Jefferson County during the months listed above, by order of the
Jefferson County Department of Health. |
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| USDA Forest Service Public-Use Restrictions - (Issued by the USFS) |
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During times of high wildfire danger, The USDA Forest Service
may restrict or close a portion of a National Forest to the public.
This is a safety consideration as well as a fire prevention action.
These restrictions are posted on the USDA Forest Service website.www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama
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Additional Information:
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National Weather Service - Watches, Warnings & Advisories
- USDA Forest
Service - National Forests in Alabama
- Alabama Department
of Environmental Management
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