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ALABAMA (WHNT) – Before you ignite that garbage, grass or anything else on fire, take a moment to read this.
The Alabama Forestry Commission informed Alabamians on Thursday that, according to state regulations, a permit is required if they plan to burn a quarter acre or more of:
- Woodland
- Grassland
- Fields
- New land
This rule also applies if the burn site is within 25 feet of natural gas, such as wood or grass. To obtain a free permit, call the AFC dispatch center at (800) 392-5679. The dispatcher will ask several questions about your burn, including:
- Location (geographical Lat/Lon coordinates can be found on the AFC website)
- Size of the burn
- What is being burned
- Purpose of the burn
Anyone requesting a burn permit will also need to have sufficient tools, equipment and personnel to monitor and control the fire throughout its duration. Even with a permit, the person responsible for the burn will still be held liable for any damage caused by smoke or if the fire escapes.
Several North Alabama teams have won state championship titles. The AFC reserves the right to revoke a burn permit if:
- The burner fails to comply with the permit
- Conditions change, leading to dangerous or unpredictable fire behavior
- Smoke from the fire poses a threat to others or contributes to degraded air quality
Violating the burn permit law can result in fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to six months. State law also prohibits the burning of household garbage and trash.
While there is a statewide burn permit law, other cities and towns may have their own burn permit requirements as well. Those planning to burn should check with their local fire department before doing so. The AFC also recommends notifying the local fire department of the burn.
There is also a non-agricultural burn ban in effect from May to October in certain areas across Alabama:
- Baldwin
- DeKalb
- Etowah
- Jefferson (Jefferson County Health Department regulations prohibit all planned burns during these months)
- Lawrence
- Madison
- Mobile
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Russell
- Shelby
- Talladega
