Chilton County, along with 33 other counties, has recently been downgraded from being on the Burn Ban list to Fire Alert, according to the Alabama Forestry Commission. This brings the total number of counties lifted from the ban to 46.

The downgrade comes after officials discovered high enough ground moisture levels to justify lifting the ban.

Despite the lifting of the ban, the forestry commission still suggests using caution when burning, such as not leaving a fire unattended, having the necessary equipment to control fires and keeping a water supply nearby while burning.

Fires larger than a quarter acre in size or within 25 feet of a wooded area required a permit from the AFC. Burns of that size without a permit are considered a Class-B misdemeanor subject to six months in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.

For more information about the downgrade, visit www.forestry.alabama.gov.