Seeing smoke?

Blame Alabama.

The U.S. Forest Service has begun burning tens of thousands of acres in Alabama’s four national forests, and smoke clouds apparently drifted over the metro area Saturday. Cobb Fire Department PIO Daniel Dupree attributed residents’ smoke reports to the faraway fires.

During the next six months, forestry officials will set controlled burns on about 115,000 acres of woodland throughout our neighbor state, according to a press release.

The technique, often done in winter, improves forest habitats and reduces the risk of uncontrolled fires breaking out in hotter months.

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Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP