Drought

BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - With rain improving drought conditions in some parts of Alabama, USDA Forest Service Acting Forest Supervisor Melvin Harris has updated a closure order to reduce fire restriction locations.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack designated 11 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas October 31, in regards to ongoing drought conditions, as well as 15 additional counties that are adjacent to those counties.

Farmers and producers in 25 Alabama counties affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019 can apply for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+).