N.C. Forest Service issues statewide burn ban, officials say

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Due to the increased wildfire risk, officials say the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide.

Officials announced the burn ban Saturday afternoon and said the statewide ban goes into effect at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28th, until further notice.

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide, effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28, until further notice, according to officials.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says, “With drought severity across the state, forecast fire weather, and the potential for limited rainfall, it is critical to reduce the number of new fire starts. Vegetative fuels will dry rapidly, and with the amount of fuel loading in the mountains and drought impacts statewide, a burn ban for all 100 counties is necessary to reduce the number of wildfires across our landscape. Please follow this burn ban to help reduce the risk for everyone.”

Officials say under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning statewide, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. According to officials, anyone violating the burn ban faces fines and court costs.

According to officials, the burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Officials say the local fire marshal has the authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

In Onslow County, a local burn ban will go into effect on Sunday, March 26th at 8 a.m. until further notice.

Onslow County officials say the local burn ban will not allow for any open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling.

According to officials, open burning includes burning leaves, branches, or other plant material. Officials say the only exception to the county-wide burn ban is for the use of outdoor cooking and warmth purposes.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.

Officials say the N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions regarding a specific county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office.