VIDEO: With drought conditions worsening across Alabama and the Alabama Forestry Commission issuing a statewide fire danger advisory for the foreseeable future, local fire departments are adapting their strategies to protect communities during the dangerous dry season.
The latest drought monitor shows all of central Alabama dealing with some form of drought, with some areas experiencing more severe conditions than others. While firefighters battle blazes year-round, the current dry conditions require special precautions as fires tend to spread further and more quickly.
โWe get concerned when droughts happen,โ said Chief Justin McKenzie of the Fultondale Fire Department.
โHere in Fultondale, we cover a little bit of unincorporated Jefferson County that has no fire hydrants, so in that aspect, like this past Saturday, we did have a fire. Weโre concerned that it would spread to the woods, so we wanted to make sure that we have enough water supply,โ McKenzie said.
The department relies on mutual aid from other fire departments to ensure adequate water supplies. During drought conditions, crews sometimes pre-treat surrounding vegetation to prevent fires from spreading to wooded areas.
