Staff reports

RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service on Monday issued a ban on all open burning regardless of permit because of increased fire risk.

According to a news release from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, burning permits have been canceled for the following Western North Carolina counties: Alexander, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.

The ban took effect at 5 p.m. Monday and will remain so until further notice. Violation of the ban carries a $100 fine plus court costs of $180.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, even if a permit was issued, according to the release. And no new permits will be issued.

The ban on open burning is necessary because of the dry weather conditions and the potential for the increase in human-caused wildfires in the region, the release says.

“Fire experts with the N.C. Forest Service feel that with the current drought situation and the number of fires burning on federal lands, it would be best to be proactive about preventing human-caused wildfires. And I agree with them,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in the release.

Here are a few facts about the law regarding the ban on open burning:

Open burning includes burning leaves, branches and other plant material. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative materials.

It does not apply to cooking fires such as grills or outdoor cookers.

It does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. County fire marshals have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of the burning ban and asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. In addition, other local ordinances and air quality regulations may also impact open burning.

If a fire within that 100-foot area escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control it. The person responsible for setting the fire may be responsible for reimbursing the N.C. Forest Service for any expenses related to extinguishing it.

Outdoor burning is also prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts.

As of Nov. 6, there had been 2,829 wildfires affecting more than 18,158 acres on state-protected lands across North Carolina this year. More than 1,000 of those fires were in the mountains and burned 3,375 acres. State-protected lands include state- and privately owned properties.

Several fires burning in WNC, smoke wafts across region

Fire Prevention Education Team deployed to region

In addition to putting the burn ban in place for the state’s most western counties, the N.C. Forest Service has also deployed a Fire Prevention Education Team to Western North Carolina in an effort to decrease the number of human-caused wildfires there, according to an NCAGR news release. The team was expected to arrive Monday afternoon and work out of the Montreat Conference Center Assembly Hall.

In addition to assisting with the information delivery for wildfires occurring in WNC, the team will also engage directly with communities, distribute information and work with the media to help raise public awareness about the current fire danger. For more information regarding the mission of the N.C. Fire Prevention Education Team, call 919-218-3179 or email ncfsregion3fpet@gmail.com.

Residents with questions regarding their specific county can contact their county ranger with the N.C. Forest Service or their county fire marshal’s office.

WNC wildfire grows to 600 acres, specialized team called in