NWS issues fire watch for northern Alabama

North Alabama is under a fire watch today because low humidity and high winds are creating prime conditions for wildfires.

The National Weather Service issued the watch to discourage residents from burning anything outdoors.

"People should not even burn unless they have to. Even then, we suggest they don't burn," said Kurt Weber a meteorologist at the Weather Service's Huntsville office.

Northeast winds of 5 to 15 mph hour today will keep smoke from the massive forest fires in Florida and southern Georgia from making its way into north Alabama as it did Monday and Tuesday, Weber said. Those same winds will usher much drier air into the Tennessee Valley, increasing the risk of wildfires.

Although the Alabama Forestry Commission continues to issue permits for outdoor burning, foresters urge caution with all fires.

"It's very dry. People who are going to be doing any burning need to take extra precautions," said John Everitt, Colbert County manager for the state Forestry Commission. "If they are going to be burning a brush pile, they need to clear to bare soil a ring at least 2 feet wide around the area to be burned. They need to have a water supply and firefighting tools like rakes and shovels close by."

Alabama law requires a burn permit when burning an area one-fourth acre or larger or within 25 feet of a fuel source such as a wooded area or dry grass. The free permits, which are available from the Alabama Forestry Commission, do not exempt the person starting the fire from liability if it escapes control.

Everitt recommends postponing outdoor burning until weather conditions improve.

Weber said the forecast does not bode well for improved fire weather anytime soon.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we are going to see any significant rain for at least the next seven days," Weber said. "It looks like we might have a slight chance of rain next weekend, but right now it's too early to say."

All of north Alabama is in an extreme drought, the second worst of the five-level classification system used by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The rainfall deficit in the Shoals is 12.63 inches for the year and 33.29 inches since Jan. 1, 2005.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.