Wildfire risk increases earlier than usual across Alabama
The Montgomery Advertiser 3/12/2021 Marty Roney, Montgomery Advertiser
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Alabama is in the grips of an increased state-wide wildfire risk, and conditions aren t expected to improve over the next four weeks.
Alabama Forestry Commission data shows that for the period on Jan. 1 through Wednesday, there have been 398 wildfires burning about 8,000 acres. But the numbers for the last week are telling; 184 wildfires that have blackened about 4,900 acres.
Weather conditions and the calendar are to blame, said Cole Sikes, a spokesman for the state s forestry commission. Lower humidity coupled with high winds and a burgeoning drought are making the woodland s tinder box dry. And, spring green up is still weeks away.