ADEM Announces Open Burning Ban
Restrictions for six months in a dozen counties
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has announced an open burning ban for 12 counties to protect air quality. The ban is effective from May through October, which is a month longer than previous summer open burning bans. Counties included in the ban are Baldwin, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby and Talladega.
"We are constantly looking for ways to protect our environment and improve the quality of life for all Alabamians," said ADEM Director Trey Glenn. "The open burning ban is a useful tool to help us safeguard our clean air."
ADEM issued the ban to combat the formation of ground-level ozone. Though beneficial in the upper atmosphere, ozone is a respiratory irritant when found at ground level. Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of heat and sunlight. Prohibiting open burning of wood, tree trimmings, brush and debris generated by land clearing, construction or demolition is an effective method to reduce the formation of ground-level ozone.
Previously, ADEM's opening burning restrictions lasted from May through September for eight counties. This year the department added four counties and extended the ban through October to continue efforts of reducing ozone when weather factors are more conducive to its creation. In the counties being added - DeKalb, Etowah, Russell and Talladega -- ADEM air monitors recorded higher levels of fine particulate matter, a major constituent of smoke created by open burning, than in prior years. The department believes this step will help lower those numbers.
ADEM administers the federal Clean Air Act in Alabama and is working to ensure that trends toward reduced ozone levels and better air quality continue in the state.
www.adem.state.al.us