MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama Forestry Commission has rescinded the fire advisory that had been in place for all counties in Alabama since Oct. 30.

Recent rainfall prompted the commission to call off the fire advisory, but Alabama is technically still in a drought, and the commission says there is still a risk of wildfires.

"We've just got a brief relief," said Balsie Butler, assistant director for the commission's protection division. "My advice would be to still use extreme caution when burning because we still have days of high winds. Those winds do have the propensity to dry out those fuels."

Butler says dry soil and fallen leaves can fuel fires and cause them to spread, but these surface fuels have responded well to recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

"Right now, we've just received the rain. It will give a lot of people the perception that we are in a better state than we are, but that state only lasts for as long as the precipitation or that moisture remains in the leaves as well as the soils," Butler said.

Since the Alabama Forestry Commission issued the statewide fire advisory on Oct. 30, the number of fires has dropped by nearly 70%. Butler credits the public's cooperation in reducing outdoor burns.