ACTION 8 UPDATE: Fire Danger Advisory expands to all Alabama counties

The Alabama Forestry Commission has now put all 67 counties under a Fire Danger Advisory.

This is due to worsening drought conditions and no significant chance of rain in the long-range weather forecasts.

The AFC says this advisory is effective immediately and will remain in place until enough rain falls to improve drought conditions.

It says dead pine trees in the forests which were devastated by southern pine beetles this summer are adding to the increased wildfire potential, as well as challenges to containment efforts.

Earlier this month, a Fire Danger Advisory was issued to 22 counties.

The AFC says abnormally warm and dry conditions in the last month have led to a steady rise in wildfire activity across Alabama. In the past 30 days, 246 wildfires have burned nearly 3,000 acres.

Although the AFC is not currently issuing a burn restriction, it says it strongly discourages any outdoor burning until conditions improve.