“We've got fires everywhere” is what we heard Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton say over the radio Tuesday afternoon. At first it was hard to understand where but we quickly learned they were along Highway 31 and later learned they stretched from Flomaton to Brewton.
Our scanner started again Wednesday morning with calls of more brush fires along Highway 31 and firefighters and the Alabama Forestry Commission scrambled to get the situation under control.
Witnesses told fireman that the cause of the fires along Highway 31 were caused by an 18-wheeler heading south with two flat tires and the sparks from the rims were starting fires along the shoulder.
But as we talked to Stanton Wednesday, he said there are still people out there trying to burn trash and debris during this heavy drought. He added that the humidity is low which creates a perfect situation for a fire to get out of hand.
First, I applaud the firemen from Flomaton, Friendship, McCall, Brewton and Century for their fast approach Tuesday. If you drive from Flomaton to Brewton on Highway 31 and look at the southbound shoulder, you'll see the charred grass. Any of those fires could have easily jumped the ditch and become major issues for not only acres of land, but houses as well. The quick response from the firemen prevented a major problem.
Folks, I hope you understand how dry it is out there right now. That little pile of leaves you're burning in your backyard can quickly get out of hand. We don't have a fire ban in place at this point, but it shouldn't take a fire ban for people to realize how dangerous it is.
Some say we will get some rain Sunday and we'll believe it when we see it, but just because we get some rain it doesn't make it safe to burn. With this low humidity that rain water will evaporate very quickly.
Just be careful.
