Special to the Journal

Fire officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission are issuing a fire safety announcement for all counties in Alabama.

According to the Commission, the National Weather Service has issued a “red flag warning” in regard to the potential for wildfire occurrence for all of north and central Alabama.

The current weather conditions make it an extremely dangerous wildfire situation.

The Commission is urging everyone to delay any outdoor burning until measurable rainfall has occurred.

They add that this is not an official drought emergency order (NO BURN) but a warning to the public of the hazardous dry conditions.

In the past few days wildfire starts have picked up across the entire state. Since November 1, 2005 the state has seen 119 wildfires for a total of 740 acres.

Approximately 460 wildfires have occurred since the start of the fiscal year October 1, 2005 burning more around 3,340 acres.