By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
If spring has been any indication, it may be a long, hot and dry summer. This week the Atmore Fire Department issued a no-burn ban within the city limits due to the dry conditions.
Effective Wednesday, May 23, AFD Fire Chief Gerry McGhee announced that a no-burn was in effect within the city limits. Surrounding areas that are in the department's immediate fire coverage area are also asked to hold on burning as well.
Jeff Garmon, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Mobile, said there is no sign of significant rains in the near future.
There is a 40 percent chance of rain for Sunday, but after that there is no sign of rain for the beginning of next week.
The no-burn warning comes three days after firefighters in Atmore helped the Bay Minette Fire Department as they battle brush fires along Interstate 65 in Baldwin County. The fire required assistance from all departments within Baldwin County and I-65 was closed for a portion of the time due to heavy smoke that decreased driver's visibility. The AFD participated by being on call for emergencies within Bay Minette since all units there were fighting the fire along the interstate. Atmore units drove halfway to Bay Minette in case of an emergency there.