Have you seen any smoke?

An innocent flame, born perhaps from a stray spark or a moment of carelessness, can swiftly transform into a raging inferno, consuming not just trees and brush but also homes, livelihoods and cherished landscapes in its path.

You may have heard about the devastating Smokehouse Fire in our Gulf sister-state, Texas.

The Smokehouse Fire, which has ravaged Texas since Monday, has consumed vast areas of land due to dry, warm and windy conditions in the Panhandle. Fueled by dry vegetation and propelled by gusts up to 60 mph, it spreads rapidly, at a rate of about 150 football fields per minute according to reports. Despite easing extreme conditions, ongoing breezy weather poses challenges for firefighters battling to control the blazes. The scale of devastation highlights the urgent need for continued efforts to mitigate the impact in Texas.

Closer to home, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) contained a fire in Citronelle spanning 550 acres. Crews in the area battled the fire off Robert Walker Road amid smoky conditions on Feb. 27 morning according to reports.

A significant fire occurred in Baldwin County as well. Specifically, there was a notable blaze reported in areas near Bay Minette early Feb. 26 morning.

In the wake of devastating wildfires sweeping through Alabama's southwest counties, the state finds itself grappling not only with the immediate threat to lives and property but also with the profound loss of its invaluable forest assets, a stark reminder of the relentless power and destructive force of nature's fury.

The AFC has issued a Fire Alert for Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties in the southwest region effective immediately due to gusty winds and low relative humidities combining to create dangerous wildfire behavior.

“Windy conditions are expected today through Thursday (Feb. 29) with gusts approaching 30 mph, making fires very difficult to control,” said AFC Southwest Regional Forester Benji Elmore in a news release. “Even with any rain received in the next few days, windy conditions will still pose a threat. Fast moving wildfires not only destroy property and forests, but also threaten the lives of citizens and endanger firefighters.”

When abnormal wildfire occurrences or severe smoke issues arise, the State Forester may declare a Fire Alert, allowing the commission to regulate burning permits. While permits are typically accessible to all meeting legal requirements, during a Fire Alert, only Certified Prescribed Burn Managers equipped with sufficient resources may obtain permits.

The number and size of wildfires increased over the weekend. According to a statement from the AFC on Feb. 26, in the last four days (Feb. 22-Feb. 25), 168 wildfires have burned approximately 6,365 acres of forestland across the state, making up one-third of all the acres burned in Alabama since Oct. 1 (the beginning of the agency’s fiscal year). More than half of that acreage occurred in those southwest counties, including a 1,210-acre wildfire in Baldwin County, one for 300 acres in Washington County, a 275-acre fire in Escambia County, one for 240 acres in Mobile County and six others over 100 acres. Other parts of the state also experienced large wildfires in the last few days: a 400-acre fire in Sumter County, one for 200 acres in Chambers County, one for 165 acres in Randolph County, two fires over 100 acres in both Butler and Russell counties, as well as a 100-acre fire in Winston County. In the past 30 days, 327 wildfires have burned approximately 8,394 acres statewide.

This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester. Permits for outdoor burning in these specified counties will be restricted to Certified Prescribed Burn Managers only. Anyone who burns a field, grassland or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor. If burning with a permit in other parts of the state, the agency recommends using extreme caution and staying up-to-date on local weather updates because of the windy conditions.

The Alabama Forestry Commission is the state agency committed to protecting Alabama’s invaluable forest assets as well as its citizens. To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state or any other forestry-related issues, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website at www.forestry.alabama.gov.