2025 National Forests in Alabama Prescribed
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Darrius Truss, Fire Staff Officer
Tammy Freeman Brown, Public Affairs Staff Officer
334-832-4470
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USDA Forest Service Plans Prescribed Burns to Improve National Forests and Reduce Wildfires
Montgomery, AL) January 17, 2025 ---- USDA Forest Service plans to conduct prescribed burns on approximately 193,584 acres throughout Alabama’s national forests – Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee. Depending on weather conditions, the low-intensity prescribed burns will take place within the next six months by trained USDA Forest Service federal fire management specialists. The purpose is to remove excess fuel, such as vegetation and dead wood, in an effort to improve habitat for plants and wildlife and to protect communities from the danger of any future wildfires.
In order to minimize smoke impacts, prescribed fire activity is controlled and dependent on experienced Forest Service personnel, equipment, weather, fuels, and conditions. The benefits of prescribed fires are endless, according to Forest Service Fire Management Officer Martel Knipe. "As a result, hazardous fuels are reduced and human communities are protected from extreme fires," Knipe said. “Using prescribed fires reduce pest problems and disease spread. It also restores nutrients to the soil so that trees and flowers can grow,” Knipe said.
Forest Service federal fire management specialists write prescribed burn plans to identify the best conditions under which trees and other plants will burn for the greatest results. Before implementing a prescribed burn, fire management specialists consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke. Prescribed fire management specialists compare conditions on the ground to those outlined in burn plans before deciding whether to burn on a given day.
As the Forest Service perform prescribed burns, the public may notice smoke in various parts of national forests in Alabama. Please follow the Forest Service National Forests in Alabama on Facebook or Twitter for prescribed burn notifications or visit our website.
- Bankhead National Forest is planning to burn 21,307 acres in Winston and Lawrence Counties, call the office at (205) 489-5111.
- Conecuh National Forest is planning to burn 51,496 acres in Escambia and Covington Counties, call (334) 222-2555.
- Talladega National Forest- Talladega and Shoal Creek Districts are planning to burn 55,725 acres in Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, and Talladega Counties, call the Heflin office at (256) 463-2272 or the Talladega office at (256) 362-2909.
- Talladega National Forest - Oakmulgee District is planning to burn 59,612 acres in Bibb, Dallas, Perry, Tuscaloosa, Hale, and Chilton Counties, call (205) 926-9765.
- Tuskegee National Forest is planning to burn 5,444 acres in Macon County, call (334) 727-2652.