Statewide Burn Ban Issued for North Carolina
Dry conditions have prompted North Carolina’s most sweeping fire restrictions in recent memory.
Due to increased wildfire risk, the NC Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide, effective until further notice.
Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning statewide, 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.
Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the NC Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban. The NC Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions regarding a specific county can contact their Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office.
For more information, contact Philip Jackson, public information officer, NC Forest Service at (919) 857-4828, or email [email protected].
