The North Carolina Forest Service last Saturday issued a statewide ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits until further notice as dry conditions persist across the state.
No new permits will be issued until the ban, which went into effect at 6 p.m. on March 28, is lifted.
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Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.
“With drought severity across the state, forecast fire weather and the potential for limited rainfall, it is critical to reduce the number of new fire starts,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated in a release. “Vegetative fuels will dry rapidly, and with the amount of fuel loading in the mountains and drought impacts statewide, a burn ban for all 100 counties is necessary to reduce the number of wildfires across our landscape. Please follow this burn ban to help reduce the risk for everyone.”
The ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, but check with your local fire marshal to make sure a local burn ban has not been issued on fires within 100 feet.
Violators of the ban face a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Anyone found to be responsible for setting a fire may be liable for costs associated with extinguishing that fire.
Forest Service officials will continue to monitor conditions. If you have specific questions, you may contact your N.C. Forest Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office.
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