Chatom Volunteer Fire Department

03/27/2026

We urge you not to burn this weekend. Also remember every Fire Department in Washington Co. is volunteer and it is the weekend. With Ball season , Turkey season , Spring time in general the response time and manpower may take longer and be less than normal. By burning this weekend you could not just burn property, but it could also reach structures or vehicles that you could ultimately be responsible for. Be safe this weekend and please keep those matches in the drawer.

📢AFC URGING CAUTION AGAINST WILDFIRES📢

With forecasts calling for elevated wind speeds and a dry front passage across the state, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) strongly discourages any outdoor burning until conditions improve. The agency also points to dropping relative humidity and an increase in wind speed on Saturday as especially concerning.

With the anticipation of critical fire weather conditions, AFC is issuing a Fire Danger Advisory on Friday, March 27. The potential for critical fire weather elevates on Saturday, March 28, increasing the threat issued to a Fire Alert. By Sunday, March 29, the potential for critical fire weather decreases slightly, lowering the threat issued to a Fire Danger Advisory.

The combination of these conditions creates a greater-than-average potential for outdoor fires to escape easily and spread rapidly, taking longer – and more of the agency’s firefighting resources – to contain and ultimately control. Fast-moving wildfires not only destroy property and forests but also threaten the lives of citizens and endanger firefighters.

Prescribed burn permits will be limited to only Certified Prescribed Burn Managers on Friday. Permits for outdoor burning will not be issued to anyone on Saturday. The AFC plans to resume regular permit issuing on Sunday, March 29, provided improved weather conditions. Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.

In the last seven days, 147 wildfires have burned approximately 5,600 acres of forestland across the state. This includes a large wildfire in Wilcox County (963 acres), one for 464 acres in Montgomery County, one for 505 acres in Marengo, and four others over 200 acres in Choctaw, Covington, Etowah, and Walker counties.

The Alabama Forestry Commission is the state agency committed to protecting Alabama’s invaluable forest assets as well as its citizens. To report a wildfire, call (800) 392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state or any other forestry-related issues, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website.

03/16/2026

Be sure and stay weather alert during this storm.
And remember any downed power lines should be treated as if they are live until deemed otherwise by the power company.

03/12/2026

The sun is coming up and CFD has already received multiple calls of trees blocking the road and power lines down.

If you come across a power line on the ground DO NOT APPROACH. CALL 911!

Stay safe out there.

02/23/2026

The RED FLAG WARNING is in effect until 6pm this evening.

Please do not burn anything! But if something is on fire, call 911 immediately!

02/11/2026

CFD was dispatched at 5:01pm to a 2 vehicle accident this evening at MM 20 on Highway 56 west. Engine 306 and Rescue 1 arrived on scene to two patients trapped from a head on collision.
Crews from CFD, LHVFD, Hobson VFD and Newmans worked to extract patients and transport them to Chatom where two helicopters were waiting for further transport. CFD cleared the scene at 7:30pm and both lanes were opened once again.

Side note: please continue to pray for both patients. Both Patents were airlifted to a nearby trauma Hospital and will receive great care.

Thanks to Laton Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Wagarville Vfd, Hobson VFD, ALEA, Newmans, Chatom PD, WCSO, and Circle S Towing for the Assist.

01/26/2026

CFD was dispatched to County Road 1 yesterday at 10:22am for a downed tree across the road. The tree pulled down a power line, causing outages all down CR 1. Rescue 1 responded with 4 firefighters to remove the tree and assist CWEMC and WCSO with traffic. CFD remained on scene until 6:20pm when power was restored and the road reopened.

Thank you to Fruitdale and 911 for assist.

12/25/2025

While this Christmas won’t be white, we do hope it is Merry and Bright. May your Christmas Season be filled with joy, love and peace.

Merry Christmas,
Chief Benjamin Jones and the CFD

12/03/2025

At 9:15pm, Chief Ben Jones and Lieutenant Daniel Turner responded to an emergency feline in need of saving from down in a chimney. Rescue 1 responded with both firefighters. Upon arriving on scene, they assessed the scene and quickly formed a recovery plan. The cat was recovered unharmed and Chatom Fire returned to service at 9:40pm.

At Chatom Fire, no emergency is too small. CFD is in the saving business, human or feline. 🐈🔥🚒🚨🚨🚨