Open Burning Ban Lifted

Do not burn on dry and windy days!

March 2, 2008

STATEWIDE NC NEWS -- As of March 1, 2008, the North Carolina Statewide Open Burning Ban has been lifted. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Secretary Bill Ross, lifted the ban at the recommendation of the NC Division of Forest Resources. The recommendation comes do to recent rains making it safe for carefully tended open burning in order to reduce the amount of dry forest debris. Open burning now, cuts the potential for larger, more intense and harder-to-control fires later in the year, especially during the spring fire season.

The NC Division of Forest Resources responsibilities includes, fighting wildfires, and regularly measuring factors such as weather and available fuels that play an important role in the likelihood of experiencing dangerous wildfires.

The ban on open burning will automatically be reinstated in advance of any Red Flag warning issued by the National Weather Service. DENR and its Division of Forest Resources will continue to monitor daily conditions, which will determine if the open burn ban must be reinstated.

According to DENR, currently, the risk for wildfires is low. Lifting the ban allows personnel from the state Division of Forest Resources and local firefighters to focus on other responsibilities. During a burn ban, these officials must respond to every smoke report, therefore occupying valuable resources that can be used elsewhere.

North Carolina Citizens should note:

• It is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative materials. Such burning can produce toxic air pollutants.
• Outdoor burning is prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts.
• Make sure you have a valid burning permit. You can obtain a burning permit at any NCDFR office or permitting agent or online at www.dfr.state.nc.us.

Tips for safe open burning include:

• Before burning, be prepared to control a fire, you will need a garden hose, a bucket, a steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep fire tools handy, and never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed burning.
• Follow local laws on debris burning. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely. Check the weather.
• Do not burn on dry, windy days, and always stay with the fire until it has been extinguished.

Furthermore, State forestry officials say that if people open burn leaves and other vegetative materials they should take the same precautions they would take if it had not rained, because an untended fire can easily escape and become dangerous. Once again, the North Carolina Statewide Open Burning Ban has been lifted - be careful burning.

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

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