Great news from the Command Center!

After yesterday's successful controlled back burn that caused a great deal of smoke, officials have declared the Gulf Park State Wildfire 100 contained. There will be no more planned back burning.

Crews will still be on the ground to continue mop-up work and are on alert for any re-kindling possibilities. Stanley Anderson, Incident Commander, from the Alabama Forestry Commission, commended everyone involved with the operation, including Baldwin Fire Service, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments, Public Works crews and the State agencies that assisted. 

Portions of the Hugh S Branyon Back Country Trail will be reopened today. The parts that will be reopened are Catman Road (trail head at Hwy 161) and Rosemary Dunes (trail head at Hwy 182).

The portions that are closed for now are: Campground Road, Rattlesnake Ridge, Gulf Oak Ridge and Twin Bridges.

All Fireworks shows are to proceed as planned. City of Orange Beach will be on patrol at the Wharf during those shows. The City of Gulf Shores show and the Perdido Beach Resort show are both shot over water

The Fireworks Show schedule:  Fireworks at the Wharf, July 2, 3 & 4 at 9 p.m.; Perdido Beach Resort Fireworks Show, July 3 at 9 p.m.; Gulf Shores Fireworks, July 4 at 9 p.m.

City of Orange Beach Officials want to strongly remind residents and visitors that nonpermitted or personal fireworks are prohibited at all times in the City of Orange Beach. This is especially important now to the severe drought and the Gulf State Park wildfire .This is also in accordance with the Outdoor Burning Ban put in place by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on June 7.