Officials have named the two fires; the “Beasley Branch” fire, first reported to firefighters Monday, is located on “very steep terrain” off Cleburne County Road 49, about seven miles southeast of Piedmont, a press release from the Shoal Creek District press office said.
Firefighters estimated the Beasley Branch fire to stretch between 50 and 75 acres.
The second fire, called the “Fleet” fire, began Saturday. Firefighters have that fire partially contained and were working Tuesday to secure a line around the blaze, which had burned more than 600 acres of national forest and private lands, the press release said.
The cause of both fires is under investigation, Talladega National Forest spokeswoman Karen McKenzie said.
In the press release, Shoal Creek District Acting Fire Management Officer Joe Smith cautioned residents near the forest to be careful while camping in and around the forest.
“We are asking folks to be extra careful now due to the dry conditions in the forest,” Smith said.
Contact Star Staff Writer Cameron Steele at 256-235-3562.
