By Bonita Wilborn
DEKALB CO.- The following photo and statement were taken from the Facebook page of Andrea – Brandon Hastings of the Sylvania area.
“This was behind our house on our property. So thankful for family, friends, and the fire deptments that were there to control the fire while we were stuck on the interstate 2 1/2 hours away. Our driveway was a constant stream of people there helping move stuff out of the way had the fire gone out of control. Thankfully it stayed contained and all that was involved were the woods.
We were NOT burning. The fire started on the other side of the creek and jumped to our side and spread pretty quick from what we were told.”
Just a small trash fire can wreak havoc on a community when dry conditions and wind are factors. This fire could have been catastrophic as you can see that the Hastings’ home and chicken houses were very near where the fire jumped across the creek.
The state of Alabama has issued a “NO Burn” order until further notice. Any spark can spread like “wildfire” when conditions are right.
As stated by Marty Roney of the Montgomery Advertiser on September 25, 2023 – Alabama is now under a statewide fire alert. Here’s what that means:
• Dry conditions across Alabama have woods and fields tinderbox dry, and now the Alabama Forestry Commission has issued a statewide fire alert.
• While under a fire alert, permits for outdoor burning will be restricted. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.
• This burning restriction is being issued because of the current drought situation, continued lack of precipitation, and high probability of fuel ignition. With this extremely dry weather, any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to forests but also threatening lives and destroying property.
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