Fire Chief: Alabama Burn Ban Is Serious, Violators Could face Jail Time
November 22, 2016
A “no burn” order is in effect in the entire state of Alabama, and one local fire chief says residents are not heeding the warning and they could face jail time as a result.
The Alabama Forestry Commission issued the no burn order on November 7 due to drought conditions. The order includes all outdoor fires including campfires and other recreational fires and the burning of any trash or debris, including leaves and household trash.
Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said during a three and a half hour period Monday evening, his department extinguished 15 trash fires at homes in the city, including some repeat offenders.
Peebles said his department will strictly enforce the burn ban and contact the Alabama Forestry Commission about offenders. Those violating the ban could face up to a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.
“We are going to enforce this burn ban,” he said. “It’s extremely serious. As dry as it is right now, a small fire could get out of hand in no time and cause a major fire.”
Here is additional information from the Alabama Forestry Commission:
WHAT IS A DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARATION?
Section 9-13-141 of the Code of Alabama states: “at such time as the state forestry commission has declared by regulation a drought emergency in any county or counties, it shall be unlawful in such county or counties for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes or to build a campfire or bonfire or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire.” Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning.
DO THE REGULATIONS COVER BARBEQUES?
The regulations allow barbeque fires for cooking IF the fire is in a grill or masonry barbeque pit, including large barbeque pits used by civic organizations to prepare food. Anyone grilling or barbequing during the Drought Emergency should have water hoses on site to prevent any loose sparks from setting a wildfire, and a circle at least 10 feet wide around the grill should be cleared of any burnable material. Side fires to generate coals for a barbeque must also be within a grill or masonry pit. Gas grills are allowed.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE “CAMPFIRE OR BONFIRE” PROHIBITION?
Campfires or bonfires include any fire that is burned on bare ground, even if surrounded by stones or a metal fire ring. This definition includes campfires, ceremonial fires, ‘council’ fires, bonfires, ‘warming’ fires, and cooking fires that are on bare ground and not in a masonry lined ‘pit.’
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE “TRASH OR DEBRIS FIRE” PROHIBITION?
Trash and debris fires include burning of woody debris, yard waste, garbage, construction debris or any other material, in either an open pit or in a barrel. At this time, people should not burn a debris pile until the Drought Emergency is lifted.
WHAT OTHER THINGS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DROUGHT EMERGENCY?
The intent of the Drought Emergency Declaration is to prevent catastrophic wildfires during drought conditions. No one should use an open flame in or around a woodland setting. At campsites, closed lanterns may be used, but no open flames such as candles or ‘tiki’ torches. Care should also be exercised in suburban areas where lawns are very dry as well.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THESE REGULATIONS?
Under Section 9-13-142, Code of Alabama, anyone found guilty of violating these regulations and improperly conducting open burning in a Drought Emergency-declared area shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $250, nor more than $500, and at the discretion of the court, that person may also be sentenced to the county jail for up to six months.
Additionally, any person burning in violation of the Drought Emergency Declaration will be liable for damages to the property of another and any costs associated with the suppression of said fire. Suppression costs would include equipment and personnel costs related to control or extinguish the wildfire.
Firefighters Respond To Cotton Trash Fire At Gin Company
November 22, 2016
Fire departments from across the area responded to the West Florida Gin on Meadows Road in Davisville Tuesday morning.
A small fire was smoldering in cotton “trash”, a by-product of the cleaning and ginning process. Such fires often happen a few times each year.
There was no damage to the structures in the facility and no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and the Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department were among those dispatched to the cotton gin.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Stead Appointed As Century Town Council Member
November 22, 2016
Kevin Stead has been named as the newest member of the Century Town Council as the temporary replacement for Annie Savage, who passed away in late October.
A special election will be held in February for a permanent replacement to fill Savage’s seat, which does not expire until 2021.
Four people expressed interest in the temporary seat — Stead, Mary Bourgeois, Patricia Ewing and Luis Gomez. Council members Ben Boutwell and Ann Brooks voted for Stead, while Riley voted for Bourgeois and Jackson voted for Gomez.
Stead, a resident of Pine Street for about a year and half, is a Marine Corp veteran, a married father of four and grandfather of three. He has served for six years as a firefighter and fire chaplain for the Jay Volunteer Fire Department, and serves as pianist and childrens pastor as Tabernacle Baptist Church in Century.
The 50-year old is an electrician and has been employed at CEREX Advanced Fabrics in Cantonment for the past four years.
“I have a high interest in the local economy and for the youth of the community,” Stead said in an email to current town council members.
A second seat on the council will also become empty on January 2. Council member Boutwell was forced to resign his seat effective January 2 when he ran for mayor during the recent election. That bid was unsuccessful.
In January, the council will appoint a temporary successor for Boutwell until a special election can be held. According to town officials, Boutwell could be appointed as his own successor, if the council so desired.
The special election for both council seats will be held February 14 with any necessary runoff election on February 28.
Pictured top: New Century Council member Kevin Stead is congratulated by mayor-elect Henry Hawkins. Pictured below: Stead listens to the council vote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
From The Farm To The City: A Thanksgiving Bounty For The Needy (With Gallery)
November 22, 2016
About 200 students from schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay Monday to harvest vegetables and bag sweet potatoes that will feed hundreds of needy families later this week for Thanksgiving.
The event at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center was part of Farm-City Week, bringing the bounty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm to the needy of the city.
The FFA students from Northview High School, Tate High School, Jay High School, along with other schools and boy scouts harvested collards and cabbages and sorted over a ton of donated sweet potatoes. The students also bagged freshly ground corn meal and grits.
Along the way, the students learned not only about teamwork, but also about the farming process at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm.
The greens, sweet potatoes and other food items will be delivered Tuesday with the help of more students to about 800 families that were pre-qualified based upon need at the Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola and the Guy Thompson Community Center in Milton.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 22, 2016
Volunteers from the Miracle League of Pensacola will fry your turkey for you on Wednesday, saving you the time and trouble while benefiting the charity. And there is still time to make an appointment.
Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday. For a monetary donation to Miracle League, the volunteers will fry your turkey to perfection. A minimum of $20 per turkey is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Call (850) 426-6466 with questions or to schedule your time (leave a message if no answer). Reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited.
Missing Cantonment Teen Found Safe
November 22, 2016
UPDATE: This missing teen has been found safe.
Officials are searching for a missing Cantonment teen.
Trinity Sellers was last seen on South Highway 97 in Cantonment on Monday. The 13-year old was wearing white Adidas high top shoes and was carrying a black and white Aztec print backpack. She may be riding on an older baby blue boys bike-cruiser with a black leather cup holder and black rims.
Sellers is 5 feet, 2 inches, 150 pounds with blue eyes and blonde hair. She often wears her waist-length hair up in a bun.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Trinity Sellers is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or KlaasKIDS at (855) 733-5567.
Water Main Break Floods Roadway In Molino
November 22, 2016
A broken water main flooded a roadway in Molino Monday night.
The water main break was on Molino Road near the intersection of Highway 95A. Crews from Molino Utilities worked into the night to make repairs. There was no word from the utility if a boil water notice was issued as a result of the break.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Dies After Crashing Into Emergency Room Wall
November 22, 2016
An Escambia County man died Monday morning after crashing his vehicle into a wall outside the emergency room at West Florida Hospital.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 56-year old Michael F. Fountain was eastbound in the hospital’s parking lot when he crashed his Saturn Vue near the ER entrance about 5:01 a.m. He was admitted to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
It was not known if a medical condition may have led to the crash.
Deputies Bust Man Living In Stolen RV
November 22, 2016
Alabama authorities have recovered a stolen RV and arrested the man was living inside.
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n early October, a Coachman Freelander 3150 RV was reported stolen from the Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve northeast of Atmore. The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office received a report that the RV was in Conecuh County, AL. Sheriff’s deputies from both counties responded to the location and made contact with the man living in the RV, later identified as 33-year old Christopher Wesley Taylor of Brewton.
A warrant was obtained, and Taylor was located and arrested by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of theft of property first degree. He was transported to the Mobile Metro Jail to be transported back to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said more arrests are expected as their investigation continues.
Lonely, Homeless And Hungry Invited To Waterfront Thanksgiving Banquet
November 22, 2016
Hundreds of Escambia County’s homeless, hungry, or lonely community members will be served a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal Thursday from 11a.m.-1p.m. at the Waterfront Rescue Mission campus located at 348 West Herman Street.
Those less fortunate in Pensacola aren’t the only community members that benefit from Waterfront’s Thanksgiving Banquet. Becoming involved in the Thanksgiving Banquet is a way for community members and organizations to give back to those in need in their community. There are numerous ways that individuals, groups, or businesses can become involved:
- Donate food: 104 oz. canned vegetables, desserts, non-perishable foods and gift cards are appreciated.
- Make a financial donation- $2.23 provides 1 meal, $11.15 provides 5 meals and $22.30 provides 10 meals. Visit www.waterfrontmission.org to donate today!
- Donate items to prepare for the cold months – coats, jeans, gloves, scarves, hats, blankets, backpacks, socks, sleeping bags, underwear, personal hygiene items, etc.
- Volunteer, visit www.waterfrontmission.org
All item donations can be delivered to Waterfront Rescue Mission located at 348 West Herman Street, Pensacola, FL. To find out more about the Thanksgiving Banquet or to make a financial donation visit www.waterfrontmission.org or call (850) 478-4027.
Pictured: Last year’s Thanksgiving banquet at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
