Ciba Road

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Ciba Road Fire started on April 13, 2026, near Malcolm in Washington County, Alabama.
Size and Containment: As of April 22, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 807 acres and is currently 80% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has been primarily fueled by 2-foot brush. It initially grew to 400 acres before expanding to its current footprint of 807 acres.
Containment Efforts: The Alabama Forestry Commission is the lead agency responding to the fire. Over the last 72 hours, firefighters have made steady progress, increasing containment from 65% to 80% as crews continue to secure and reinforce containment lines.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Currently, there are no mandatory evacuation orders in place for the Ciba Road Fire. (We cannot find any reported evacuation information at this time).
Evacuation Warnings: There are no active evacuation warnings.
Curfew: No curfews have been reported.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No evacuation shelters have been opened as there are no reported evacuations.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:
There are currently no reported road or infrastructure closures associated with the Ciba Road Fire. Local traffic is proceeding normally, though residents should remain alert for emergency vehicles.

For more information, visit:

• Alabama Forestry Commission
• Washington County Emergency Management Agency
• WFCA Active Fire Map

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Ciba Road Fire.
Structures Impacted: At this time, there are no reports of structures being damaged or destroyed by the fire.
School and Business Closures: No school or business closures have been reported in Washington County due to this incident.
Notable Impacts: There are no notable people or structures reported to be impacted by this fire.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There are no reported power outages linked to the fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: While a formal county-wide burn ban has not been explicitly stated, emergency officials strongly advise against all outdoor burning due to elevated fire danger and dry conditions in the region.
Air Quality: Residents near the fire may experience localized smoke, which can pose health risks for individuals with respiratory conditions.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With the fire currently at 80% containment, firefighters are making significant progress. Crews will continue to monitor the perimeter and mop up hot spots to prevent any flare-ups, which is critical given the challenging weather conditions expected in the coming days.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the region, including parts of southeast Alabama. A passing cold front is bringing very low relative humidity—dropping to between 15% and 20%—and gusty winds reaching around 15 mph. These critical conditions mean any new or existing fires could spread rapidly and become difficult to control.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The exact cause of the Ciba Road Fire has not been reported and remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme fire weather is playing a significant role in the region's fire activity. The area is experiencing an ongoing rainfall deficit, which has severely dried out vegetation. This dry fuel, combined with the recent cold front bringing gusty winds and critically low humidity, has created a volatile environment where fires can ignite easily and spread rapidly.

For more information, visit:

• Alabama Forestry Commission
• Washington County Emergency Management Agency
• WFCA Active Fire Map