Alerts
Preparation and safety are of utmost importance while recreating in the national forest. Please observe safety alerts and notices before your excursion to the forest. Simply knowing the current conditions, closures and alerts prepares you for a pleasurable outdoor visit, free from any surprise that could deter your fun!
Track prescribed fire work across the Southern Region using the Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker.
Burn Restrictions
Generally this occurs when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is over 600 and there are on average more than 1 wildfire per county per day over a wide area. The State Forester works with the Governor’s Office to issue a formal regulation, which has the effect of law. A “No Burn Order” prohibits any outdoor burning, including any prescribed burns, camp fires, trash fires. To learn more visit the Alabama Forestry Commission's webpage.
During times of high wildfire danger, The Forest Service may restrict or close a portion of a national forest to the public. This is a safety consideration as well as a fire prevention action. These restrictions are posted on our website.
Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI)
The following are summaries of prohibited acts on the National Forests in Alabama. A copy of each of the Forest Supervisor's Orders can be obtained from the Supervisor's Office in Montgomery or a Ranger District Office.
Forest Alerts
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Forest Service firefighters responding to wildfire in Perry County
Forest Service firefighters are actively responding to a 120-acre wildfire in the Williams Creek area of the Talladega National Forest’s Oakmulgee Ranger District in Perry County. The William’s Creek Fire is burning in an area previously impacted by tornado damage, with heavy dead and downed… -
Conecuh National Forest Oil and Gas Leasing Availability Analysis
The Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Conecuh National Forest Oil and Gas Leasing Availability Analysis EA was signed by Forest Supervisor Linwood Butler on February 25, 2026. All documents related to this project can be found here:… -
Alabama's National Forests begin prescribed fires
Fire managers have begun prescribed fire operations on the National Forests in Alabama, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through Spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities,… -
2026 Fee Free Dates
In Alabama, national forests are great escapes! There’s something for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors, and the fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. All standard amenity sites, such as day-use and picnic areas, are waived during fee-free days.… -
Rules for Forest Visitors
In the case of an emergency or road side assistance is needed, please call 911. -
Leon Brook Hines Lake Closure
The Leon Brook Hines Lake (Escambia County Lake) on the Conecuh National Forest is closed for restocking and dam inspection. A reopening date will be announced at a later time. Additional information can be found… -
Shooting Range Prohibitions
ALERT! National Forests in Alabama (Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, Tuskegee) Shooting Ranges Restrictions - Alcohol Use, Range Area, Target and Ammunition.  -
Public Notice Regarding ATVs
PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING ATVs: All-terrain vehicles and off-highway vehicles are only allowed on two designated trails in Alabama’s national forests. The Kentuck ORV Trail in the Talladega National Forest -Talladega District and Flint Creek Multiple Use Trail in the Bankhead National Forest are… -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Coleman Lake, Pine Glen, Warden Horse Camp, Shoal Creek RD
The following are prohibited at Coleman Lake, Pine Glen, Warden Horse Camp, Shoal Creek Ranger District as set forth in 36 CFR 261.58: Camping for a period longer than 14 days.Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one's own camp unit.Being in the area between 10 p.m. and… -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order for Various Camps on Bankhead District
Except for the persons camping, there is no entering or remaining in a dispersed recreation campsite between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Owl Creek Horse Camp, Allred Hunters Camp, McDougle Hunters Camp, Wolfpen Hunters Camp and Corinth Overflow Camp which occupies dispersed recreation areas… -
Prohibited Hunting/Occupancy and Use Forest Order in Bankhead District
Hunting is prohibited within the Natural Bridge, Brushy Lake and Sipsey River Picnic Area, Developed Recreation Sites on the Bankhead Ranger Districts. -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Drinking Alcohol and Camping Without a Permit
Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages and camping without a written permit from the Forest Service is prohibited in the following areas: Kinlock Falls, all lands located within one-half radius of the falls, Kinlock Spring and Kinlock shelter on the Bankhead Ranger District. -
National Forest Wilderness Order
Prohibitions in the Wilderness for the Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead Ranger District, of the National Forests in Alabama. See detailed information below. -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Morgan Lake
The following are prohibited at Morgan Lake as set forth in 36 CFR 261.58: Being in the area after sundown or before sunrise.Possessing and/or consuming an alcoholic beverage as defined by state law. See full closure order below. -
Public Health and Safety - Target Shooting
For the protection of public health and safety, target shooting is prohibited on the Tuskegee Ranger District of the National Forests in Alabama. See full closure below. -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Nudity
You cannot be publicly nude on the forest. -
Food Storage Forest Order
You must properly store food or refuse to prevent access by wildlife. You must not placing, leave, deposit any food, bait or refuse in a manner likely to attract or concentrate any wildlife, whether for purposes of hunting or viewing animals. -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Fishing
The taking of fish by any method other than rod and reel or pole and line is prohibited on the Conecuh National Forest. See full closure order below. -
Protection of Species Forest Order - Gopher Tortoise
The hunting, possessing, storing, or transporting of Gopher Tortoise and the hunting of any wildlife species by the practice of "gassing" burrows is prohibited on the Conecuh National Forest. See full closure order below. -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Open Pond Recreation Area
The following are prohibited at Open Pond Recreation Area as set forth in 36 CFR 261.50: Camping within the Open Pond Recreation Area for a period of longer than 14 days between March 1 and September 30. Parking or leaving a vehicle outside of a parking space assigned to one's own unit and in… -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Blue Lake Recreation Area
The following are prohibited at Blue Lake Recreation Area as set forth in 36 CFR 261.58: Camping within the Blue Pond Recreation Area. Possessing or operating a motorboat within the designated swimming area.  Being in the area after sundown or before sunrise.Hunting in a developed recreation… -
Public Health and Safety Forest Order - Protection of Wildlife (Alligators)
The feeding, or otherwise molesting of, alligators is prohibited on the Conecuh National Forest. See full closure order below. -
Occupancy and Use Forest Order - Houston, Corinth, Clear Creek and Brushy Creek Campgrounds
There is a 14 day limit on camping in the Houston, Corinth and Clear Creek, and Brushy Lake Recreation Areas of the Bankhead Ranger District of the National Forests in Alabama. See full closure order below. -
Cave Habitat Forest Order - Indiana and Gray Bats
Going into, or being in caves designated as closed for the protection of endangered, threatened, or rare species of animals. See full closure order below. -
Commercial Hauling Forest Order
A permit is required for Commercial Hauling. See below for details. -
Target and Skeet Shooting Forest Order
Target shooting or Skeet Shooting,is prohibited except at designated shooting ranges. Also prohibited, is the possession and use of an explosive; "explosive" means any chemical compound mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion; the term includes, but is… -
Rules for Camping
Camping in developed recreation areas is limited to 14 consecutive days and there is a 24 hour waiting period to return. Camping in dispersed areas (hunt camps) is limited to 21 consecutive days. There is a 10 day waiting period before returning to the same area/location. Don't forget:Leaving…