The state remains under a fire danger advisory, meaning the risk of fires spreading quickly is still very high because of low humidity and elevated winds.
) - Drought conditions and unusually dry air across Alabama are keeping wildfire danger high, even after a recent red flag warning expired, according to the The state remains under a fire danger advisory, meaning the risk of fires spreading quickly is still very high because of low humidity and elevated winds.
Alabama Forestry Commission officials said those conditions can turn a small spark into a fast-moving wildfire. “If you know anything about the fire triangle, it needs three things: one of them is fuel, which is what the leaves and the grass provides for us during this time of the year,” said Balsie Butler, a representative with the Alabama Forestry Commission. “So during drought conditions, that’s really what happens. That fuel bed gets really, really dry and really susceptible to the heat part, which is the fire.”“The role that wind plays of course is the third part of the fire triangle, but it also can transport those embers burning from the fuel and push them across your containment lines,” Butler said. Forestry officials pointed to a wildfire Tuesday in Gulf Shores as an example of how quickly fires can grow when drought dries out vegetation. “Under normal conditions, if we have some moisture and we’re not in drought conditions, that fire kind of creeps along,” Butler said. “But because of how dry it was, that fire was able to expand exponentially really fast, and our crews had to get down there and do a little extra work trying to get it contained before it impacted any property and impacted those spring breakers that were in the area.” The Alabama Forestry Commission urged residents to take extra precautions, especially when burning debris or doing outdoor work that could produce sparks. Butler said many wildfires start because of preventable, human-caused ignition sources. “Most of the fires that are going to be caused is going to be from somebody burning, an electrical power line that arcs out, a chain that’s being dragged behind a truck that throws a spark, a cigarette being thrown out the window, a car backfiring,” Butler said. The commission also reminded residents that anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit could face prosecution for a Class B misdemeanor. Forestry officials said fast-moving wildfires can destroy property and forests, threaten lives, and endanger firefighters.Selma community honors Coach Willie MaxeySelma to receive $100K for Bloch Park, memorial stadium upgrades
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