Wildfire conditions across Alabama continue to worsen, as the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) reported 80 wildfires burning 3,782 acres during the week of April 13–19. Fire danger in the southern half of the state has now increased to a Very High classification.
The statewide Fire Alert, issued by State Forester Rick Oates, remains in effect and restricts burn permits to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers only. The AFC is urging residents to avoid outdoor burning as drought conditions persist, with no meaningful rainfall in the forecast.
Northern Alabama is currently classified at a High Fire Danger level, while the southern half — including the Black Belt — is at Very High. The agency emphasized that the alert is a public safety notice, not a formal burn ban. However, anyone burning over a quarter acre must obtain a permit from the AFC’s dispatch center.
The elevated risk follows weeks of increased wildfire activity. In late March, the 265-acre South Sandy wildfire burned through national forest land near the Hale–Tuscaloosa county line in the Oakmulgee Ranger District before being contained. More recently, a 120-acre fire in the Williams Creek area of the same district in Perry County burned through tornado-damaged timber.
The AFC urges residents to take basic fire safety precautions, including:
- Avoid parking on dry grass
- Use outdoor equipment carefully
- 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.
To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information, visit www.forestry.alabama.gov.
