HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Alabama Forestry Commission has issued a fire danger advisory which incorporates all of North Alabama - due to a combination of severe drought conditions and a recent swell in the population of pine beetles.
Forestry officials said they have noticed a steady rise in wildfire activity over the last few weeks. 201 wildfires have burned more than 2,700 acres of land in the past 30 days.
"Abnormally warm and dry conditions leading into November will result in increasing wildfire potential and resistance to control, particularly in forests impacted by drought and beetle kill," the commission said Thursday.
Terry Ezzell, Northwest Regional Forester with the AFC, explained further how beetles factored into the fire danger advisory.
"This summer the state has endured a terrible out break of pine bark beetles," Ezzell told FOX54 via email. "The impacts this year are mostly from Southern Pine Beetles (SPBs) and some Ips Beetles. Last year’s dry weather stressed the trees making them more susceptible to beetle infestations this summer"
Wildfires in areas with beetle damage will be harder to control, Ezzell said, because of the of the extra fuel created by the dead trees.
The commission considers it an "epidemic level" of beetle infestation, which can also negatively impact the state's timber industry.
If conditions continue and an "abnormal" amount of fires are then sparked, the AFC will next issue a "Fire Alert," which may lead to burn permit restrictions.
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