West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
It is Wednesday, October 25, 2023. A FIRE ALERT has been issued for all of the state while a NO BURN ORDER has been issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission for 32 North Alabama Counties, including all of West Alabama.
A FIRE ALERT is issued when weather conditions are such that there are an abnormal number of wildfires, or several unusually large wildfires in an area, or when there is an issue with severe smoke causing air quality degradation.
Under the Drought Emergency NO BURN ORDER, Section 9-13-141 of the Code of Alabama states that it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.00.
Fire officials are urging residents to not burn because it is a violation of the order and because a fire right now can get out of hand quickly. Burning a field, grassland, or woodland without a permit is a class B misdemeanor.
According to the Alabama Forestry Commission, 65 wildfires continue to burn across Alabama this morning with eight of them in West Alabama. 1,881 acres have burned in Alabama in the past seven days from 111 wildfires, and drought conditions are expected to worsen.
The next U.S. Drought Monitor will be released by NOAA tomorrow and it is expected to reveal a widening severe drought level across West Alabama and the entire state.
The Forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
High School Football Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Weekend Weather: Sunny days with highs in the mid 80s and clear nights with lows in the lower 60s.
Topping the News:
Northport Attorney Bryan Brinyark has won a narrow House District 16 Republican Primary victory in yesterday’s special GOP primary election. Brinyark defeated Fayette County Commissioner Brad Cox 1,706 votes to 1,519. Brinyark will face another Fayette County Commissioner, Democrat John Underwood, in the January Special General Election.
UA is partnering with Alabama Power and Mercedes to develop new ways to use electric vehicle batteries. The U-S Department of Energy has awarded $4 million to UA and 9 other institutions to fund the study.
The German-themed Octoberfest event, presented by Visit Tuscaloosa, will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Druid City Social, 301 Greensboro Ave.
The festival will include a 5K run to benefit American Cancer Society, live music, German food, beer, local vendors, competitions and more.
Tuscaloosa leaders gathered in West Tuscaloosa yesterday to break ground on the new $12 million Benjamin Barnes YMCA after a decade of delays and debates about the facility's future.
Harrison Construction will begin building the new YMCA and are expected to complete the job in 2024.
The Barnes branch first opened in 1961 at 2939 18th Street in West Tuscaloosa with funds raised by Black leaders to serve their community.
In Sports
Former Alabama Football Star Kareem Jackson will lose more than a half-million dollars in pay due to helmet-to-helmet contact on a tackle in Denver's 19-17 win over Green Bay Sunday. Jackson has also been suspended four games.
Both Alabama and LSU are off this weekend before meeting at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday week for the game that will give one team the edge for the SEC West Championship. CBS has set the kickoff for 6:45pm.
Bama also has some payback in mind for last year’s OT loss in Baton Rouge.
Have a great "Hump Day"!
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