A statewide burn ban has been issued due to increased fire risk across North Carolina.
The ban goes into effect Friday, March 21, at 8 a.m. and will last until further notice, the N.C. Forest Service said.
“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”
Under North Carolina law, the ban does the following:
- Prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties
- Cancels all active burning permits and suspends the issuance of any new permits until the ban is lifted
- Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs
- Anyone responsible for setting fires could 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,” according to the Forest Service. “A local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within that 100 feet space.”
For more information about the ban and how to report any wildfires, click here.
The N.C. Forest Service is being assisted by local fire and law enforcement departments to enforce the ban.
Anyone in need of additional information specific to their county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county’s fire marshal’s office.
Related: Wildfires grow in Polk County as steep terrain, high winds challenge firefighters
The dry conditions have caused multiple wildfires across the state to spread. The worst being in Polk County where officials say one of three wildfires burning in the county has scorched more 500 acres in the Green River Game Land area.
As of Friday morning, officials say that wildfire is 0% contained.
The state drought monitor released an update Thursday showing most of the state under dry to moderate drought conditions.
