Additional fire precautions extended for state parks

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is making further fire precautions for all Alabama State Parks due to extended dry conditions. Visitors and overnight guests are being asked to take extra precaution with campfires and barbecue grills.

“We encourage park visitors and overnight guests to be very cautious with campfires and grills during this period until we get some much-needed rain,” said Greg Lein, director of the department’s State Parks Division. “The current dry conditions have increased the risk for wildfires throughout the state.”

The Alabama Forestry Commission issued a statewide Fire Alert last week. The Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester.

The additional Alabama State Parks fire precautions include the following:

• No campfires outside of designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds or developed recreational areas.
• Barbecue grills and gas-fueled stoves are permitted only in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds or developed recreational areas.
• Do not use barbecue grills or gas stoves in areas that can scorch, burn or damage lawns or picnic tables.
• Place barbecue grills a minimum of 15 feet away from any flammable material such as grass, weeds, wood chips, brush or park facilities.
• Do not leave a campfire or grill unattended.
• Completely extinguish all burning fuel such as wood or charcoal before disposing of it in an existing fireplace, fire pit or barbecue grill.

For information about the fire precautions, visit www.alapark.com.

Park visitors are also encouraged to monitor each state park’s social media accounts for updates on fire precautions and restrictions. A social media directory for Alabama State Parks is available at www.alapark.com/social-media-directory.