There have been more than 60 wildfires in Alabama this week with several of those fires happening in Birmingham. A wildfire has burned more than 80 acres in Leeds. The Alabama Forestry Commission is now investigating how it started.
The fire is burning in a very remote location about a half mile from Floyd Bradford Road. You can actually see the smoke in the air near the Shops at Grand River. The fire is 100% contained. The Forestry Commission really had a difficult time getting back there because there are no roads leading to where the fire is, but that hasn't been their only challenge.
A number of wildfires.. keeping the Alabama Forestry Commission on their feet. Forestry Specialist, Willie Holston, says "It's really dry now. This is our third week with no rain. "
Dry conditions, creating a perfect recipe for wildfires, challenging those fighting them. Forestry Spokesperson Coleen Vansant says "The fatigue factor, the heat, keeping hydrated, the physical exertion of running equipment." And lack of man power, bull-dozed by the economy. "We haven't been able to hire the people we adequately need to staff our offices for fire protection." Vansant says they're moving resources around because staffing is low. But local fire departments are assisting. The most recent challenge.. A wildfire in Leeds. Holston says "This area is very rural, old strip mines, we had problems locating it."
It's now contained and no homes are in danger. Some local residents helped them find the fire Tuesday morning. But there's still a threat lurking: "At this time, we are not under any type of burning restrictions, but we are asking people because it's so dry to postpone any outdoor burning until after we receive rainfall."
They're asking people to stay vigilant and to be extra careful this Fourth of July. "We have to continue to make the residents of this county and all residents of the state aware of the fire possibilities."
The Alabama Forestry Commission says the fire in Leeds will continue to burn for the next several days. They will continue to monitor it closely.
