Recent rains have reduced the threat of wildfires across Alabama, but fire officials are still urging caution after a no burn order was lifted Monday.
Brewton Fire Chief Lawrence Weaver said a no burn order remains for those inside the city limits.
“The rain has helped us a lot,” Weaver said. “The last couple of days with a steady rain has given us some relief and we were all glad to see it.”
On Monday, state officials announced the fire alert has been lifted for Escambia and other counties across the state because recent rains have reduced the threat of catastrophic wildfires.
The Alabama Forestry Commission urges anyone conducting outdoor burning to follow safety recommendations such as not leaving a fire unattended until it is out, having the necessary equipment and personnel to control the fire, and having a garden hose or other water supply on hand for smaller debris burns.
Any fire more than a quarter-acre in size or within 25 feet of a forested area requires a permit from the AFC. Burn permits may be obtained by calling the AFC . Burning without a permit is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and/or up to a $3,000 fine.
The AFC will not issue burn permits for those 12 counties prohibited from summer burning: Baldwin, Dekalb, Etowah, Lawrence, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby and Talladega.