Fires engulf county

Dry, windy conditions this past weekend turned into the perfect storm for brush fires as multiple fire departments scrambled around Escambia County (Ala.) putting out four fires that eventually burned 165 acres and engulfed one shed from five fires Saturday and Sunday.

Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said one of the wildfires began when a control burn got out of hand and the other three started with people burning debris that also got out of hand.

Stanton said the first 911 call came from a woman on Old Atmore Road at 10:42 a.m. Saturday who said her debris fire got out of hand.

"The wind was pushing it toward a stand of big timber," Stanton said. "Our first priority was to cut the fire off before it reached the big timber and we were able to put the fire out in about 20 minutes."

At 10:50 a.m., Flomaton received a call from the Pineview and Barnett Crossroads volunteer fire departments of a woods fire at Cemetery Road and Old Foshee Road. Stanton said that fire was also started by someone burning debris.

While on scene, Stanton said he received a call from Ryan Reaves, assistant fire chief at Barnett Crossroads, that a controlled burn had gotten out of hand and requested Flomaton's brush truck at Stanley Road.

"We were out at Stanley Crossroads and heard we had a possible structure fire on Fannie Road," Stanton said. "McDavid was headed to Stanley Crossroads and I diverted them to Old Fannie Road."

Stanton said when McDavid firemen got to Old Fannie Road he was advised there was a large pile of tires burning and a woods fire. I got with my firemen and told them to head back to Flomaton."

Stanton said they learned that fire started with someone burning yard debris that got out of hand.

He said firemen had several goals that included keeping the fire from jumping Highway 31. Flames and fire did jump the highway but were extinguished.

"If it hadn't been for mutual aid we would have had some houses down," Stanton said.

Stanton added that Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson and Officer Lenny Conley pulled double duty, acting as police officers one minute and firemen the next. Thompson launched his drone from Highway 31 to give firemen a clear picture of where the fire was and where it was headed.

Firemen were back out Sunday after another fire in the Flomaton area spread to an old shed.

"We were able to get the fire out before it moved to a real nice shed close by," Stanton said. "Other than that old shed, we didn't lose any structures."

Stanton credited the mutual aid of other departments from keeping the fires from spreading to houses.

Flomaton, Friendship, Lambeth, Barnett Crossroads, Pineview, Brewton, McCall, Appleton, Wallace, Wawbeek, Atmore, Poarch, Little Rock, Century, McDavid, Molino, Walnut Hill, Jay and Berrydale firemen all responded. Stanton added that the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Florida Forestry Commission also sent help, along with deputies with the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's Office.

"The first thing people think when they see all those fire trucks coming is that it's overkill," Stanton said. "Saturday was a prime example of how mutual aid works among fire departments and other agencies. You've got to have it."

Stanton said the problem was the area was extremely dry and the wind was blowing and he warned people about burning debris in those conditions.

"People just weren't thinking," Stanton added. "I was so glad to see that rain come in Monday."

Burn permits

The Alabama Forestry Commission said state law requires people to obtain a permit before burning any woodlands, grasslands or fields that are more than a quarter-acre in size or lies within 25 feet of natural fuels, such as woods or grass.

Forestry commission officials said permits are free and can be obtained in just a few minutes over the telephone by calling 800-392-5679. The permits allow the forestry commission to know which fires are controlled and which are wildfires.