What started as a prescribed/controlled burn in Cherokee County on Sunday, got out of hand, and quickly spread. Matt Woodfin w/the Alabama Forestry Commission was on the scene as efforts were made to contain the fire; he informed WEIS Radio that an area consisting of around 250 acres was still actively burning around noon Monday.
The fire was centered in an area where the corners of Cherokee, Calhoun and Etowah counties converge, near the landfill.
When we spoke to Woodfin, he told us the blaze was 100% CONTAINED – and anyone seeing smoke shouldn’t be alarmed, assuring everyone that they’d be monitoring fire lanes, and containment lines, throughout the day and into the night.
We spoke to Woodfin again at around 9:00am Tuesday and he informed us the entire amount of property in the containment area eventually reached 551 acres – and, that on Tuesday morning, there was only one small section with actual burning still going on, and it was well inside the perimeter. That is expected to finally burn out today – however, the Forestry Service will continue to scout all the confinement lines and the fire breaks for the time being as a precautionary measure.
We’ll keep you updated here on WEIS Radio, and bear in mind with exceptionally low humidity and the elevated winds currently being experienced locally, ANY burning is highly discouraged.
The Forestry Service is currently at an Alert Level 5 meaning they’re NOT conducting any prescribed burns due to current conditions.
8 March 2021
Caution Urged with All Burning
With no significant precipitation in the weather forecast for the remainder of the week, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is advising people to use extreme caution with all debris burning and outdoor fires. With lower relative humidity and March winds, fires can quickly spread out of control, not only endangering homes and property, but also threatening lives, as well as resulting in damage to Alabama’s forests.
Both number and size of wildfire occurrences have already increased. As of 4:00 p.m. CST today, AFC wildland firefighters are currently battling 24 wildfires across the state. Over the last three days, 70 wildfires have burned more than 2,360 acres of forestland in Alabama. This includes a 560-acre wildfire in St. Clair County, two 400-acre fires in Cherokee and Cullman counties, and one for 200 acres in Escambia County. Most of these fires escaped from permitted prescribed burns.
“Extra care is required with any fire when relative humidity values fall under 25 percent and wind speeds exceed 15 mph or higher,” said State Forester Rick Oates. “Although no burn restrictions have been issued, the Forestry Commission encourages everyone to be very cautious until conditions improve.”
It is Alabama state law to obtain a burn permit before burning any woodland, grassland, field, or wood debris greater than one quarter acre or within 25 feet of flammable material. All necessary safety precautions should be exercised when doing any type burning. Be sure to clear down to mineral soil around the area to be burned. Have enough tools, equipment, and manpower to safely control any fire. Once started, stay with the fire until it is completely out. To obtain a burn permit or for more information, call the Alabama Forestry Commission at 1(800) 392-5679.
The mission of the Alabama 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 www.forestry.alabama.gov