If you see a lot of smoke today in the area around Cheaha State Park, it's because the U.S. Forest Service is carrying out one of its routine prescribed burns in the Talladega National Forest.
The service announced it will burn 1,854 acres in an area about 4 miles west of Cheaha State Park. It will be along Forest Service Road 637, and motorists will see fire crews out in that area. Smoke may be visible on County Road 12 and south of the area.
Wind should carry the smoke south toward Campbell Crossroads and Clairmont Springs, service officials said. Later in the day, the smoke should settle in the Barbaree Creek and Horse Creek areas.
Motorists in the area should slow down if they encounter smoke and use low-beam headlights.
A prescribed burn is a planned, controlled fire. The service has carried out several this month already.
For more information, call the Talladega Fire Dispatch at (256)362-7000.