By Alabama Public Radio
Tuscaloosa, AL – Forestry officials have lifted part of a fire alert that was declared on Friday.
Recent rain was enough for the alert to be lifted for thirty-three counties across north,and central Alabama. Counties no longer under alert are Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston.
Burn permits are being issued in those counties. Here's some brush burning safety tips ... remove all vegetation within at least 10 feet of your fire ... keep basic fire fighting tools on hand, such as rakes, shovels, a charged hose and a telephone ... soak your ashes for at least 24 hours before assuming your fire is out.
So far this month, there have been 220 wildfires.