HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The ongoing drought in Alabama continues to worsen, and Governor Kay Ivey has issues a statewide 'No Burn Order' in the form of a Drought Emergency Declaration. With this, all outdoor burning in Alabama is prohibited starting November 9, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. CST.
“Alabama is currently experiencing extremely dry conditions, which greatly increases the potential for dangerous wildfire activity. State Forester Rick Oates and his team have been working around-the-clock to keep our forests safe and fires contained, and I commend them for their efforts to protect Alabamians, our homes and our wildlife,” said Governor Ivey. “This declaration is meant to prevent unnecessary burning, reducing the chance of avoidable fires. I urge Alabamians to heed this warning."
“These burning restrictions are a necessary result of the ongoing lack of precipitation and high probability of fuel ignition,” said State Forester Rick Oates. “During the last month, we’ve seen an increase not only in the number of wildfires, but also in the size of those fires. With this prolonged drought, conditions are such that any outdoor fire can rapidly spread out of control, taking longer – and more firefighting resources – to contain and ultimately control. Even though we are predicted to get a small amount of rain this weekend, it will not be enough to lessen the wildfire danger.”
The Alabama Forestry Commission says that since the statewide Fire Alert was issued on October 24, AFC firefighters have responded to 352 wildfires that have burned 3,199 acres across the state.
To report anyone burning in violation of this law, contact your local law enforcement. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state, visit Alabama Forestry Commission’s website.
More than 20 Alabama counties have been designated as natural disaster counties due to drought conditions.
- Baldwin
- Blount
- Butler
- Calhoun
- Cherokee
- Clarke
- Cleburne
- Colbert
- Conecuh
- Covington
- Crenshaw
- Cullman
- DeKalb
- Escambia
- Etowah
- Franklin
- Jackson
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Limestone
- Lowndes
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mobile
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Walker
- Washington
- Wilcox
- Winston
For more information or to learn about program options, visit fsa.usda.gov/farmloans. Find your local USDA Service Center at farmers.gov/service-locator.
