The Alabama Forestry Commission officers enforce this law. Laws regarding littering from a vehicle or illegally dumping garbage or trash are also enforced by the Commission because litter feeds wildfires. Household trash and other litter dumped in wooded areas are the source of many of our wildfires each year. People will often intentionally set fire to these dumps, which in turn sets the forest on fire. Illegal dumpsites are also reported to the local health department for further action against violators.
Wildfires cause thousands of dollars in damage each year, and threaten lives, homes and businesses.
Forestry Commission officers may charge responsible parties the cost of suppressing the fire as well as issue tickets for violating the law. Outdoor burning laws include, but are not limited to, burning without a burn permit, burning without proper precaution, failing to extinguish a fire once started, and allowing fire to escape onto the land of another person. Suppression Charges can be collected for putting out any uncontrolled fire if the landowner or responsible party fails to follow the burning laws. The charges are based on the equipment and man-hours used, and mileage to and from the fire. Burn late in the day when humidity is higher.