USDA Forest Service News Release - Campfire Restrictions and Fireworks Ban in Alabama's National Forests

News Release -
The Forest Service announced today that extreme drought conditions have prompted Forest Supervisor Cherie Hamilton to sign a fire closure order throughout Alabama’s Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega and Tuskegee National Forests.   The closure order will restrict the public from using fire or building campfires on the national forests except those within developed recreation areas that are confined to receptacles designed for fires. Commercially available fuel stoves (camp stoves) and backpacking stoves are excluded from the restriction. The Forest Supervisor’s order also prohibits using fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices in national forests.

To protect the public and natural resources from the threat of wildfires, the following public restrictions are effective September 30, 2019 and will remain in effect until November 1, 2019:

  Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee National Forests

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire (including charcoal) outside of developed recreation areas.  Fires at developed recreation areas must be confined to receptacles designed for fire. 36 CFR 261.52 (a).

Exemptions to Prohibition:  Commercially available fuel stoves (camp stoves) and backpacking stoves are excluded from this restriction.

2. Violating any state law concerning burning or fires which are implemented for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fires.   36 CFR 261.52(k)
3. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.  36 CFR 261.52(f)

Pursuant to the provisions of Title 36 C.F.R, Section 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from the above prohibition:

 

1. Persons with a permit specially authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or Local officer or member of any organized rescue or firefighting force in the official performance of their duties.

Anyone found violating any of these prohibitions might face a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months or both.

For information concerning any public restrictions and closure orders, please contact a U.S. Forest Service district office before visiting: Bankhead District (205) 489-5111, Conecuh District (334) 222-2555, Shoal Creek District (256) 463-2272; Talladega District (256) 362-2909; Oakmulgee District (205) 926-9765; and the Tuskegee District (334) 727-2652.