With Labor Day approaching and a large increase of visitors along with it, five Alabama state parks have announced additional fire precautions for the holiday.
The parks are Gulf State Park, Meaher State Park, Bladon Springs State Park, Roland Cooper State Park, and Frank Jackson State Park.
Park visitors, in particular, are being cautioned about campfires and barbeques.
“As park guests plan for the upcoming Labor Day holiday, we ask that they keep the recent hot and dry conditions in mind when it comes to campfires and grilling,” said Greg Lein, director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s State Parks Division. “Those conditions have increased the risk for wildfires at state parks in south Alabama.
“We encourage park visitors and overnight guests to be very cautious with campfires and grills during this period until we get some much-needed rain and the temperatures moderate.”
The additional fire precautions are:
- No campfires outside of designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds or developed recreational areas.
- Barbecue grills and gas-fueled stoves are permitted only in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds or developed recreational areas.
- Do not use barbecue grills or gas stoves in areas that can scorch, burn or damage lawns or picnic tables.
- Place barbecue grills a minimum of 15 feet away from any flammable material such as grass, weeds, wood chips, brush or park facilities.
- Do not leave a campfire or grill unattended.
- Extinguish all burning fuel such as wood or charcoal before disposing of it in a fireplace, fire pit or barbecue grill.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
