This species inhabits burrows located on the slopes of moist, cool mesic ravines shaded by an overstory of predominately hardwood trees.

Of these 91 sites, 54 appeared similar to earlier descriptions, 19 had improved habitat conditions, and 18 were adversely affected by timber cutting since 1976.

Primary threats to this species include its restricted range, loss of habitat, a low reproductive rate, and a limited capability of dispersal.

Of the approximately 63,000 acres (250 km2) of remaining habitat, about 60 percent is currently owned or leased by paper companies which primarily use a clear-cut system of forest management.

This technique, coupled with mechanical site preparation for replanting, appears to completely destroy the habitat for the Red Hills salamander.

[7] In 2010, The Nature Conservancy acquired 1,786 acres (7.23 km2) of land in southwest Alabama in an effort to provide sufficient habitat to support the survival of the species.

The majority of Red Hills salamander habitats are situated on privately owned timber company lands, where detrimental forestry practices persist, despite some improvements through management agreements.

This pathogen has caused dramatic declines in European fire salamanders since its apparent arrival in 2008, possibly introduced through the international pet trade.