West Point Fire/Rescue

04/13/2026

📢With worsening drought conditions across the state and low relative humidity, State Forester Rick Oates has issued a statewide Fire Alert effective immediately.

Over the past weekend, 50 wildfires burned more than 2,300 acres of forestland across the state. This includes a 500-acre wildfire in Mobile County, one for 412 acres in Coosa County, one for 382 acres in Choctaw County, one for 260 acres in Washington County, and another one for 105 acres in Escambia County.

In the last 30 days, 387 wildfires have burned approximately 15,850 acres of forestland across the state.

“With no measurable rain in sight, the continued extremely dry conditions create dangerous wildfire behavior,” said Oates. “These conditions create the potential for fires to escape easily and spread rapidly, taking longer and more of the agency’s firefighting resources to contain. Fast-moving wildfires not only destroy property and forests but also threaten the lives of citizens and endanger firefighters.”

This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at least through Monday, April 20. Conditions will be reevaluated at that time. Permits for outdoor burning will be restricted only to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.

The Alabama Forestry Commission is the state agency committed to protecting Alabama’s invaluable forest assets and its citizens. To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state or any other forestry-related issues, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website at www.forestry.alabama.gov

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

📢AFC URGING CAUTION AGAINST WILDFIRES📢

With forecasts calling for elevated wind speeds and a dry front passage across the state, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) strongly discourages any outdoor burning until conditions improve. The agency also points to dropping relative humidity and an increase in wind speed on Saturday as especially concerning.

With the anticipation of critical fire weather conditions, AFC is issuing a Fire Danger Advisory on Friday, March 27. The potential for critical fire weather elevates on Saturday, March 28, increasing the threat issued to a Fire Alert. By Sunday, March 29, the potential for critical fire weather decreases slightly, lowering the threat issued to a Fire Danger Advisory.

The combination of these conditions creates a greater-than-average potential for outdoor fires to escape easily and spread rapidly, taking longer – and more of the agency’s firefighting resources – to contain and ultimately control. Fast-moving wildfires not only destroy property and forests but also threaten the lives of citizens and endanger firefighters.

Prescribed burn permits will be limited to only Certified Prescribed Burn Managers on Friday. Permits for outdoor burning will not be issued to anyone on Saturday. The AFC plans to resume regular permit issuing on Sunday, March 29, provided improved weather conditions. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.

In the last seven days, 147 wildfires have burned approximately 5,600 acres of forestland across the state. This includes a large wildfire in Wilcox County (963 acres), one for 464 acres in Montgomery County, one for 505 acres in Marengo, and four others over 200 acres in Choctaw, Covington, Etowah, and Walker counties.

The Alabama Forestry Commission is the state agency committed to protecting Alabama’s invaluable forest assets as well as its citizens. To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state or any other forestry-related issues, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website.

03/04/2026

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. Working smoke alarms give you an early warning.

Use this weekend as an opportunity to check the date of your smoke alarms. For more safety tips: nfpa.org/smokealarms

03/04/2026

With many newer smoke alarms featuring 10-year batteries, the messaging around smoke alarms and batteries has evolved.

As begins this Sunday, remember to adjust your clocks and check your smoke alarm batteries—only if needed. Don't forget to test your alarms monthly.

Learn more at nfpa.org/smokealarms.

02/06/2026

We are urging everyone to use some common sense and do not try and burn today with the wind blowing up to 20mph and everything is dry. Several departments including ourselves have been dispatched to several fires today due to no common sense and the urge to burn.

12/10/2025

With winds today expected to blow 10 to 20 mph and gusting to nearly 30 mph at times, we ask everyone to put off any burning today. Please waiting until weather conditions are more favorable for burning.

11/15/2025

Please avoid outside burning today. With winds expected to blow 15 to 25 mph today fire can spread rapidly. Ground cover is dry. So please waiting until conditions are more favorable.

11/03/2025

UPDATE: we have been informed that a fiber line was cut. Some outages have been reported corrected.

Cullman, Blount, Winston, and Limestone Counties are currently experiencing major cell phone outages. This includes customers using AT&T, FirstNet, and T-Mobile towers. Other providers as well as counties may also be affected at this time. The cause of the disruption is unclear. We will update as we learn more.

10/04/2025

Please share with everyone you know. Please dont not attempt to burn until we get some rainfall. The winds today are already and and conditions are prime for a fire to get out of control. Please excerise good judgement

📢Fire Danger Advisory Issued by the AFC📢

As drought conditions worsen, due to the recent lack of precipitation and high temperatures, the Alabama Forestry Commission is issuing a Statewide Fire Danger Advisory. Until the state receives sufficient rainfall to alleviate the severe dry situation, especially in central Alabama, this elevated fire danger will persist for the foreseeable future.

Mitigation measures should be considered to protect lives and property from wildfire damage. If possible, refrain from burning until fire danger has diminished. Always obtain a permit for prescribed burns, and ensure adequate equipment and personnel are present. Never leave a fire until it is safely extinguished. Conduct post-burn patrols for several days to ensure that reignition has not occurred and firebreaks have not been compromised. In residential areas, be sure to have a water hose prepared and adjacent to the burning area. After burning debris piles, it is necessary to thoroughly soak the area until cold.

As this advisory continues and potentially escalates, it is essential to maintain situational awareness. Burning debris piles can continue to smolder for multiple days, eventually spreading out of a previously contained area. Under these critically dry conditions, chances of embers igniting outside of the main burn area are increased. Fires in areas with deep duff (layers of decaying vegetable matter covering the ground under trees) can also continue to burn for extended periods of time, potentially causing tree mortality. Driving vehicles into tall grasses, as well as equipment use such as bush-hogging, hay baling, or mulching, can spark ignition.

The Alabama Forestry Commission will continue to monitor the strengthening drought and wildfire statistics across the state. The agency will evaluate if further restrictions are needed in the coming weeks.

10/02/2025

With the winds that are expexted today and tomorrow, plus the dry conditions we are experiencing, please refrain from burning until we get some rain. You can read the fire danger alert issued by the AFC.

📢Fire Danger Advisory Issued by the AFC📢

As drought conditions worsen, due to the recent lack of precipitation and high temperatures, the Alabama Forestry Commission is issuing a Statewide Fire Danger Advisory. Until the state receives sufficient rainfall to alleviate the severe dry situation, especially in central Alabama, this elevated fire danger will persist for the foreseeable future.

Mitigation measures should be considered to protect lives and property from wildfire damage. If possible, refrain from burning until fire danger has diminished. Always obtain a permit for prescribed burns, and ensure adequate equipment and personnel are present. Never leave a fire until it is safely extinguished. Conduct post-burn patrols for several days to ensure that reignition has not occurred and firebreaks have not been compromised. In residential areas, be sure to have a water hose prepared and adjacent to the burning area. After burning debris piles, it is necessary to thoroughly soak the area until cold.

As this advisory continues and potentially escalates, it is essential to maintain situational awareness. Burning debris piles can continue to smolder for multiple days, eventually spreading out of a previously contained area. Under these critically dry conditions, chances of embers igniting outside of the main burn area are increased. Fires in areas with deep duff (layers of decaying vegetable matter covering the ground under trees) can also continue to burn for extended periods of time, potentially causing tree mortality. Driving vehicles into tall grasses, as well as equipment use such as bush-hogging, hay baling, or mulching, can spark ignition.

The Alabama Forestry Commission will continue to monitor the strengthening drought and wildfire statistics across the state. The agency will evaluate if further restrictions are needed in the coming weeks.