Baldwin County Brush Fires: Blaze Near North Baldwin Homes Rekindles Hours After Crews Leave

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — Firefighters across Baldwin County spent Tuesday, Oct. 27, chasing a string of Baldwin County brush fires, including one in the north end of the county that flared back up hours after crews thought it was out.

No injuries or property damage were reported from any of the fires, according to initial reports from the scene.

Flames near homes in north Baldwin

The most serious call of the day came at about 5:55 p.m., when firefighters were sent to the area of Blakely Oaks Drive North and Clopton Road, where a brush fire was burning toward the rear of several homes.

Crews from the Whitehouse Forks and Crossroads volunteer fire departments, along with the Bay Minette Fire Department, responded. Firefighters were able to knock down the fire in a short amount of time, and no homes or other property were damaged.

At about 8:50 p.m., firefighters were called back to the same area for a rekindled fire. That flare-up was also quickly extinguished.

About a half-dozen other brush fires

Elsewhere in the county, firefighters responded to around six other brush fires during the day. None caused injuries or damaged property, according to reports.

The locations of those fires and their causes were not released. Many brush fires are sparked by outdoor burning that gets out of hand, discarded cigarettes, sparks from equipment or vehicles, or embers from earlier fires that were not fully put out.

Why rekindled fires happen

A rekindle, sometimes called a flare-up, happens when a fire that appears to be out is still smoldering underneath. In woods and brushy areas, heat can linger for hours in stumps, roots, pine straw and layers of leaves and other debris on the ground. When wind picks up or the material dries out, those hidden embers can burst back into open flame.

That is why firefighters often return to a fire scene, soak hot spots and turn over debris. It is also why residents near a recent fire are urged to call 911 right away if they see smoke or flames in the same spot again, rather than assuming it is leftover haze.

Baldwin County brush fires and the burn ban

The fires came during the final days of Baldwin County’s seasonal outdoor burning ban. Under Alabama Department of Environmental Management rules, the annual ban in Baldwin County runs from May 1 through Oct. 31. During that period, residents may not burn leaves, limbs, brush piles or land-clearing debris anywhere in the county, inside or outside city limits. Baldwin is one of 12 Alabama counties covered by the yearly restriction, which is designed to limit smoke and air pollutants during the warmer months.

Many residents still have piles of limbs and brush left from Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall Oct. 9 in northwest Florida and pushed downed trees and debris across parts of Baldwin County.

The end of the seasonal ban on Oct. 31 does not mean residents are automatically free to burn. Local fire departments and state officials say residents should still check with their city or fire department, follow any local ordinances and watch for state fire alerts or burn restrictions issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission when conditions are dry.

Safety tips for residents

Fire officials offer these basic precautions for anyone living near woods or brush:

• Keep yards clear of dry leaves, pine straw and dead limbs, especially near the back of the house, decks and sheds.
• Do not burn yard debris while the burn ban is in effect, and check local rules before burning once it lifts.
• If burning is allowed, never leave a fire unattended, keep a water hose and shovel nearby and avoid burning on windy days.
• Dispose of cigarettes carefully and never toss them from vehicles.
• Keep vehicles and equipment off tall, dry grass, where hot exhaust parts can start a fire.
• Call 911 immediately if you see smoke or flames, including at the site of an earlier fire.

Volunteer departments carry the load

Much of rural Baldwin County is protected by volunteer fire departments, such as the Whitehouse Forks and Crossroads departments that answered Tuesday’s call in the north end of the county. Volunteer firefighters train and respond alongside municipal departments like Bay Minette’s, and mutual aid among neighboring departments is common on brush and woods fires, where more people and more water can help stop a fire before it reaches homes.

Residents who want to support their local volunteer fire department can contact the department directly about volunteering, fundraisers or annual fire dues programs where offered.