Controlled Burns in Alabama Bring Haze to Polk County

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Residents of Polk County, Georgia have been experiencing hazy and smoky conditions due to controlled burns being conducted by forestry officials in the Talladega National Forest in Alabama. The Polk County Emergency Management Agency has issued advisories asking residents to avoid calling 911 about potential fires, as the smoke is coming from the out-of-state burns. Forecasted rain is expected to help extinguish the fires and delay additional controlled burning for at least a day.

Why it matters

Controlled burns are a common forestry management practice, but when the smoke drifts across state lines, it can create air quality issues and confusion for residents who may mistake the haze for a local fire. This highlights the need for coordination and communication between agencies when conducting burns that could impact neighboring communities.

The details

Forestry officials in Alabama are conducting controlled burns inside the Talladega National Forest, as well as in Floyd County, which is causing the smoky and hazy conditions in the nearby Polk County, Georgia. The Polk County Emergency Management Agency has issued advisories asking residents to avoid calling 911 about potential fires, as the smoke is coming from the out-of-state burns.

• The controlled burns in Alabama began earlier this week.

What’s next

Forecasted rain overnight and into tomorrow morning is expected to help extinguish the fires in Alabama and delay additional controlled burning for at least a day.