Montgomery, AL – Over the next six months, the USDA Forest Service plans to conduct prescribed burns on approximately 193,584 acres within Alabama’s national forests, including Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee. These low-intensity burns, led by trained federal fire management specialists, aim to improve wildlife habitats, restore ecological balance, and protect nearby communities from future wildfires.
The prescribed burns, contingent on favorable weather conditions, are designed to reduce excess vegetation and dead wood, which can fuel uncontrolled wildfires. According to Martel Knipe, Forest Service Fire Management Officer, the benefits of prescribed burns are extensive. “Hazardous fuels are reduced, and human communities are protected from extreme fires,” said Knipe. “These burns also help reduce pest problems, limit disease spread, and replenish soil nutrients, promoting healthy growth for trees and flowers.”
Prescribed burn plans are meticulously prepared by fire management specialists, taking into account factors such as temperature, humidity, wind, vegetation moisture, and smoke dispersion. Before a burn begins, conditions on the ground are closely compared to the parameters outlined in the plans to ensure safety and effectiveness.
The public may notice smoke in various areas of Alabama’s national forests during this period. The Forest Service emphasizes that prescribed burns are carefully managed by experienced personnel using specialized equipment and are conducted only under ideal conditions to minimize smoke impacts…