Alabama state law authorizes the Governor and Forestry Commission to declare drought emergencies and statewide or regional burn bans that preempt local rules, prohibiting outdoor burning during high wildfire danger periods across affected counties.
Alabama Code Sections 9-13-11 and 9-13-13 grant the State Forester and Governor authority to issue fire alerts, no-burn advisories, and drought emergency declarations covering specified counties or the entire state. When a drought emergency is declared, all open burning is prohibited regardless of permits previously issued, and counties identified as having severe wildfire risk fall under enhanced enforcement. The Alabama Forestry Commission monitors Keetch-Byram Drought Index values and may suspend permit issuance during elevated fire danger. These declarations supersede municipal authority to allow burning.
Violating a state-declared burn ban during a drought emergency is a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 plus liability for suppression costs, civil damages, and potential felony charges if a wildfire results.
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