© thinkprogress.orgBIRMINGHAM, AL -
Wildfire activity was high this past week.
Alabama Forestry Commission firefighters and fire departments responded to 198 wildfires that burned about 6,655 acres.
"Warm weather, lower humidity, and gusty winds are to blame for the increase in the fire numbers," Coleen Vansant with the Alabama Forestry Commission said.
Yesterday, Saturday March 16, 2013, 77 fires burned statewide, consuming 2,500 acres. This is 52% of the last 30 days total of 381.
"Anyone doing any type of outdoor burning is urged to use extreme caution. Drier air has brought relative humidity extremely low in the past few days, Friday, March 15 seeing the level below 20% across much of Alabama. Lower humidity, combined with warm temperatures and gusty winds increase the potential for wildfire," Vansant said.
For more information about the current wildfire situation, visit the Alabama Forestry Commission website, www.forestry.alabama.gov/fire_totals.aspx.
