Fire Chief: Alabama Burn Ban Is Serious, Violators Could face Jail Time

November 22, 2016

A “no burn” order is in effect in the entire state of Alabama, and one local fire chief says residents are not heeding the warning and they could face jail time as a result.

The Alabama Forestry Commission issued the no burn order on November 7 due to drought conditions. The order includes all outdoor fires including campfires and other recreational fires and the burning of any trash or debris, including leaves and household trash.

Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said during a three and a half hour period Monday evening, his department extinguished 15 trash fires at homes in the city, including some repeat offenders.

Peebles said his department will strictly enforce the burn ban and contact the Alabama Forestry Commission about offenders. Those violating the ban could face up to a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.

“We are going to enforce this burn ban,” he said. “It’s extremely serious. As dry as it is right now, a small fire could get out of hand in no time and cause a major fire.”

Here is additional information from the Alabama Forestry Commission:

WHAT IS A DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARATION?

Section 9-13-141 of the Code of Alabama states: “at such time as the state forestry commission has declared by regulation a drought emergency in any county or counties, it shall be unlawful in such county or counties for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes or to build a campfire or bonfire or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire.” Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning.

DO THE REGULATIONS COVER BARBEQUES?

The regulations allow barbeque fires for cooking IF the fire is in a grill or masonry barbeque pit, including large barbeque pits used by civic organizations to prepare food. Anyone grilling or barbequing during the Drought Emergency should have water hoses on site to prevent any loose sparks from setting a wildfire, and a circle at least 10 feet wide around the grill should be cleared of any burnable material. Side fires to generate coals for a barbeque must also be within a grill or masonry pit. Gas grills are allowed.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE “CAMPFIRE OR BONFIRE” PROHIBITION?

Campfires or bonfires include any fire that is burned on bare ground, even if surrounded by stones or a metal fire ring. This definition includes campfires, ceremonial fires, ‘council’ fires, bonfires, ‘warming’ fires, and cooking fires that are on bare ground and not in a masonry lined ‘pit.’

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE “TRASH OR DEBRIS FIRE” PROHIBITION?

Trash and debris fires include burning of woody debris, yard waste, garbage, construction debris or any other material, in either an open pit or in a barrel. At this time, people should not burn a debris pile until the Drought Emergency is lifted.

WHAT OTHER THINGS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DROUGHT EMERGENCY?

The intent of the Drought Emergency Declaration is to prevent catastrophic wildfires during drought conditions. No one should use an open flame in or around a woodland setting. At campsites, closed lanterns may be used, but no open flames such as candles or ‘tiki’ torches. Care should also be exercised in suburban areas where lawns are very dry as well.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THESE REGULATIONS?

Under Section 9-13-142, Code of Alabama, anyone found guilty of violating these regulations and improperly conducting open burning in a Drought Emergency-declared area shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $250, nor more than $500, and at the discretion of the court, that person may also be sentenced to the county jail for up to six months.

Additionally, any person burning in violation of the Drought Emergency Declaration will be liable for damages to the property of another and any costs associated with the suppression of said fire. Suppression costs would include equipment and personnel costs related to control or extinguish the wildfire.

Comments

4 Responses to “Fire Chief: Alabama Burn Ban Is Serious, Violators Could face Jail Time”

  1. William on November 23rd, 2016 11:04 am

    >>Re: Jeeperman note to Ala back woods non reader ,, We ARE under a burn ban

    There is no burn ban in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties in Florida. There have been red flag warnings and advisories against burning, but no legal ban. Florida does, I believe, have stricter laws every day of the year regarding outdoor burning.

  2. Jay on November 23rd, 2016 5:08 am

    Re: Jeeperman note to Ala back woods non reader ,, We ARE under a burn ban

  3. jeeperman on November 22nd, 2016 8:04 pm

    it is interesting to me how the state of Alabama has issued a state wide burn ban.
    And yet Florida has no counties in the state under a burn ban.
    I am glad the state line is so effective in keeping drought conditions away.

  4. bewildered on November 22nd, 2016 11:46 am

    Thank you northescambia.com for providing useful information. Our local TV stations should take your reporting style as an example – inform the citizens what is critical at any given time – rather than rehash day after day the same political garbage.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News