Dry conditions in Dallas Co. raise wildfire concerns

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

State forestry officials in Dallas County are urging people to take extreme caution when burning outdoors.

Abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions around west Alabama are making it risky and dangerous for forestry professionals to conduct their controlled burns.

“The weather has been extremely dry. We’ve had a lot of forest fires. We’ve had quite a few trash fires in Dallas County this past week and a few this week. So, people just need to be extremely careful,” said Cedric Hudson

Hudson is the Alabama Forestry Commission’s work unit manager for Dallas, Perry and Wilcox counties. He says the already dry conditions are getting even worse due to a lack of rain. And people need to take extreme caution — when burning anything outside.

“People need to be extremely aware. Especially on the trash burning. Because if the trash burning get on another person’s property or burn someone’s house down, you could be held liable for that,” he said.

“So, the fire that you light could really take off and burn some other person’s property. And you could be hauled into court and sued for that.”

Forestry officials also warn against motorists flicking lit cigarettes — into grassy or wooded areas along the road.

To report a wildfire — call the Alabama Forestry Commission at 800-392-5679.