By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore Fire Chief Ron Peebles announced this week that he is implementing a ban on outdoor burning within the city limits.
The ban goes into effect “immediately” and will remain in effect “until further notice,” Peebles said Tuesday, August 22. It prohibits burning of yard debris, “burn barrels” and any other form of outdoor burning except grilling, which he said should be done with care.
Atmore and the surrounding area have fallen victim to one of the hottest and driest summers in recent memory, and that trend is expected to continue over the next week.
According to The Weather Channel’s website, residents of the Atmore area can expect daily high temperatures to reach 100 degrees this Thursday and Friday, August 24 and 25.
Forecasters have predicted that high temperatures in the area will exceed that mark on Wednesday, August 23, when the mercury is expected to reach 103 degrees, then again on Saturday (August 26), when a 104-degree reading is projected.
The high on Sunday (August 27) is expected to hit 102 degrees before finally dipping a little on Monday and Tuesday, August 28 and 29, when the highs are expected to be 99 degrees and 95 degrees, respectively.
Friday’s forecast calls for a small chance of rain (24 percent), with the best chances for afternoon showers and storms coming on Monday (50 percent) and Tuesday (58 percent).
The fire chief stressed that people should observe fire safety protocols and pointed out that, “just about anything will burn right now.”