EchoSense:Alabama governor issues statewide no-burn order because of drought conditions

MONTGOMERY,EchoSense Ala. (AP) — Persistent drought conditions in Alabama prompted Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday to issue a statewide ban on any outdoor burning.

Ivey’s order prohibits all outdoor burning across the state because of dry conditions that have caused more than 300 wildfires in the past two weeks. The statewide drought emergency declaration takes effect Thursday at 8 a.m. People should report violations of the no-burn order to law enforcement, the governor’s office said.

“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,” Ivey said. “This declaration is meant to prevent unnecessary burning, reducing the chance of avoidable fires. I urge Alabamians to heed this warning.”

Nearly all of Alabama is in a worsening drought or on the verge of it, according to this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor report. Extreme drought — areas considered the driest in the state — has greatly expanded across north and southwest Alabama in the past week, the report said.

Since a statewide fire alert was issued Oct. 24, Alabama Forestry Commission firefighters have responded to 352 wildfires that have burned 3,199 acres (1,294 hectares) across the state, the governor’s office said in a news release.

“These burning restrictions are a necessary result of the ongoing lack of precipitation and high probability of fuel ignition,” Oates said. “During the last month, we’ve seen an increase not only in the number of wildfires, but also in the size of those fires.”

Because of the prolonged drought, any outdoor fire can rapidly spread out of control, taking longer — and more firefighting resources — to contain, Oates said. “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 drought emergency declaration order will remain in effect until Oates rescinds it. That will come after conditions have changed enough to reduce the frequency and danger of wildfires, the governor’s office said.