Burn bans in Alabama

No county-level burn ban is currently reported by Alabama Forestry Commission for Alabama. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.

Alabama uses a three-step ladder. A Fire Danger Advisory is the Forestry Commission asking people to delay burning voluntarily. A Fire Alert is issued by the State Forester for specified counties and restricts burn permits to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers only. A Drought Emergency — commonly called a "No Burn Order" — comes from the Governor, has the force of law, and prohibits all outdoor burning.

Bans are issued by county officials and typically stay in effect until conditions improve or the order expires. Some counties set explicit expiration dates; others leave a ban open-ended until lifted. Check each county's page for the expiration listed on the current order.

Burning woodland, grassland, or a field without a required permit is a Class B misdemeanor under Ala. Code § 9-13-11. During a Fire Alert, permits go only to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers, so ordinary burning is unpermitted by definition. Anyone who starts a wildfire can also be billed for the full cost of suppression, including equipment and personnel.