Statewide fire alert issued, burning restricted (al.com)
Updated Sep 25, 2019; Posted Sep 25, 2019
By Ivana Hrynkiw | ihrynkiw@al.com
The Alabama Forestry Commission has issued a fire alert after weeks of dry weather, meaning anyone who burns land without a permit could be charged with a crime.
The commission upgraded the fire danger advisory to a statewide fire alert on Wednesday. Under a fire alert, outdoor burning is restricted and permits are only issued on an individual basis at the discretion of the State Forester, according to a news release from the commission.
Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a permit could be prosecuted for a Class B misdemeanor. The alert will remain in effect until conditions improve and the State Forester rescinds the order.
A burn restriction is necessary because of the current drought, the commission said in a news release, along with the “high probability of fuel ignition.” The commission said: “With this extremely dry weather, conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also threatening lives and destroying property.”
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more: https://www.al.com/news/2019/09/statewide-fire-alert-issued-burning-restricted.html