One burn area, about 200 acres large, is about 1 mile east-northeast of Iron City, near the intersection of Alabama 9 and U.S. 78, according to a release from the Forest Service. The release says drivers on Forest Service Road 523, which forms the southern boundary of the burn area, will see fire crews and equipment and should use caution.
Smoke from the fire is expected to blow east toward the Lake Charles area between Heflin and Edwardsville. Smoke may settle along stream crossings of Alabama 9 north of U.S. 78 as temperatures cool later today.
Farther south, crews are burning 600 acres six miles south of Talladega. The Forest Service said Forest Service Road 617 and Berney Station Road should be traveled with caution.
Smoke from that fire is expected to blow east toward the Chandler Springs area. As temperatures cool today, smoke may settle near stream crossings of County Road 303.
Drivers in the Oxford area reported lots of smoke in the air this afternoon.
Controlled burns are fires set and monitored by Forest Service workers. The burns are intended to remove fuel that could lead to uncontrollable fires if allowed to accumulate. They also help to promote the growth of longleaf pines by burning away competitor species.
