March 7, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-16) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE ALERT ISSUED BY ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION Timothy C. Boyce, State Forester of the Alabama Forestry Commission, has placed Mobile, Washington and Baldwin Counties under a Fire Alert that began at 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2006. The Alert will continue until lifted by his order. A reminder that the City of Mobile has a permanent ban on outdoor burning. A Fire Alert is described by the Alabama Forestry Commission as: Fire Alert - When conditions exist that may cause a degradation of air quality, unusually large wildfires or an unmanageable number of wildfires, the State Forester may issue a Fire Alert for specified counties. This allows the Alabama Forestry Commission to restrict the issuing of Burning permits. On most days permits are issued to everyone who meets the requirements of the permit law. During a Fire Alert permits are only issued to individuals with burning experience and above average control equipment. ###