Statewide Alabama Fire Alert Issued
By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
April 14, 2026
MONTGOMERY, Ala. Fires are burning across the state destroying woodlands and structures and with worsening drought conditions across the state and low relative humidity, State Forester Rick Oates issued a statewide Fire Alert effective immediately.
We’ve had a lot of fires that have begun as small brush or grass fires, and they’ve gotten away and burned acres of land throughout the state including this past weekend when 50 wildfires burned more than 2,300 acres of forestland across the state. This includes a 500-acre wildfire in Mobile County, one for 412 acres in Coosa County, one for 382 acres in Choctaw County, one for 260 acres in Washington County, and another one for 105 acres in Escambia County.
Without a few days of steady rain, fires will continue to burn.
In the last 30 days, 387 wildfires have burned approximately 15,850 acres of forestland across the state.
Therefore, until further notice, there is a statewide Fire Alert.
“With no measurable rain in sight, the continued extremely dry conditions create dangerous wildfire behavior,” said Oates. “These conditions create the potential for fires to escape easily and spread rapidly, taking longer and more of the agency’s firefighting resources to contain. Fast-moving wildfires not only destroy property and forests but also threaten the lives of citizens and endanger firefighters.”
This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at least through Monday, April 20. Conditions will be reevaluated at that time. Permits for outdoor burning will be restricted only to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.
The Alabama Forestry Commission is the state agency committed to protecting Alabama’s invaluable forest assets and its citizens. To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state or any other forestry-related issues, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website at www.forestry.alabama.gov
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