Despite recent rains, statewide open burning and beach fire ban remains in place
While much of North Carolina received some rainfall over the last several days, the statewide ban on open burning remains in place due to continued dangerous weather conditions.
The ban also applies to all beach fires on the Outer Banks.
The N.C. Forest Service said nearly 1,100 wildfires have been reported across the state since the beginning of March, and historically 99% of all wildfires are started by human activities.
Nearly 500 people have been evacuated in Polk and Henderson counties in the southwestern mountains of North Carolina due to large wildfires, including two that were 0% contained Tuesday morning.
A total of 112 active wildfires were reported by the forest service as of Monday afternoon covering nearly 3,500 acres.
“High fire danger conditions will persist this week with low relative humidity and gusty winds drying out fuels and creating conditions for rapid fire growth and spread,” according to N.C. Emergency Management.
Much of the state remains in abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions dating back to last fall, with a small portion of coastal areas around Jacksonville in severe drought.
The burning ban instituted Friday prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted.
Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.
The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. A local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within that 100 feet space.
Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.
The Town of Nags Head and Cape Hatteras National Seashore have also cancelled all beach fire permits, and will not be issuing any new permits while the ban is in place.
Beach fires are not allowed in Carova, Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills at any time, while Duck and Kill Devil Hills also do not allow open burning of any kind.
The ban also applies to campfires, although most private campgrounds in the area only allow fires in rings or other containment structures. Cape Hatteras National Seashore does not allow campfires of any type in their campgrounds.
The use of charcoal and gas grills on private property is still permitted during the burning ban. Users are reminded to keep them away from vegetation and never use grills on decks.
