Wildfire conditions across Alabama show no signs of easing, as the state enters a second week under a Fire Alert issued by State Forester Rick Oates, with dry conditions continuing to fuel blazes across the state and in Perry County.
The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) reported that crews responded to 80 wildfires burning 3,782 acres during the week of April 13–19 alone. Fire danger in the southern half of the state has risen to a Very High classification, while the northern half remains at High.
The Fire Alert, in effect since at least April 10, restricts outdoor burn permits to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers only. The AFC has urged residents to avoid all outdoor burning as drought conditions persist, though officials clarified that the alert does not constitute a formal burn ban.
“With drought conditions intensifying across the state and little meaningful rainfall in the forecast, it only takes a single spark to start a wildfire — and dry conditions allow it to spread quickly,” the AFC said in a statement.
The Marion Fire & Rescue burn ban, in place since March 26, also remains active within the City of Marion.
The ongoing conditions follow a wildfire in the Williams Creek area of the Talladega National Forest’s Oakmulgee Ranger District in Perry County, which burned approximately 120 acres. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire spread through an area previously impacted by tornado damage, where heavy dead and downed timber intensified the blaze.
Statewide, the situation remains serious. Hundreds of wildfires have burned thousands of acres in recent weeks, and the AFC has warned that fast-moving fires threaten lives, property, and natural resources, while also straining firefighting resources.
The AFC urges residents to take basic fire safety precautions, including:
- Avoid parking or driving on dry grass
- Use outdoor equipment with care
- Never leave fires unattended
- Follow all burn restrictions
Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a permit may face prosecution for a Class B misdemeanor.
Conditions will be reevaluated when rainfall and humidity levels improve sufficiently. To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information, visit www.forestry.alabama.gov.
