With burn ban in place, local officials respond to multiple illegal fires

MIDLAND, N.C. — Fire officials in Cabarrus County were busy over the weekend responding to multiple illegal burns prohibited by the state’s ongoing burn ban.

Midland Fire and Rescue responded to seven illegal fires on Saturday, officials said. In one instance, a person was burning piles of leaves. Another person set fire to a large amount of debris.

Crews needed tanker trucks to extinguish at least one of the burns.

Verbal warnings were issued to anyone responsible for the illegal burning, officials said.

The statewide ban on burning prohibits all “open burning.” It was issued on Nov. 29 in response to a fire on Pilot Mountain that burned more than 1,000 acres before it was contained on Saturday.

Officials also battled the Huntsville Mountain Fire on Pogue Mountain in McDowell County last week before it was contained on Saturday.

“It is fall 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 fires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state.”

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, 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 helping the North Carolina Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.

“This is probably the worst I’ve seen it for this time of year,” said Cabe Speary, N.C. Forest Service. “It just gets dry. The soil is dry. The grass is all dead now.”

Speary said the state needs to get two inches of rain at once before the ban is lifted.

“We really don’t want to see, you know, any houses get burned or any valuable property get burned or any lives threatened,” Speary said.

The Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions, and residents with questions regarding a specific county can contact their N.C. Forest Service county ranger or their county fire marshal’s office.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the burn ban:

Q: What is open burning?

A: Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.

Q: May I still use my grill or barbecue?

A: Yes, if no other local ordinances prohibit their use.

Q: How should I report a wildfire?

A: Call 911 to report a wildfire.

Q: How should I report a person who intentionally starts a wildfire?

A: Call 911 to report a wildfire.

Q: My local fire marshal has also issued a burn ban for my county. What does this mean?

A: The burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest service does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local government agencies 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 has asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. If a fire within a 100-foot area of a dwelling 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 liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

Q: Are there other instances which impact open burning?

A: Local ordinances and air quality regulations may impact open burning. For instance, outdoor burning is prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts. Learn more about air quality forecasts here.

Q: Can I still use my fire pit or outdoor fireplace?

A: In excess of 100 feet from an occupied dwelling, campfires, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and burn barrels are considered open burning and are subject to the burn ban. Within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, local government agencies have jurisdiction over open burning. All local burn bans are set independently. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of the burning ban and has asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. Check with your local fire marshal about local restrictions.

Q: Can I have a campfire when I go camping?

A: Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban. During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping.

Q: What can I do to protect my house against the risk of wildfire?

A: Learn about wildfire risk assessments and preparedness and prevention plans on the N.C. Forest Service website here.

Check wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Wildfire burns hundreds of acres in Pilot Mountain State Park)

Wildfire burns hundreds of acres in Pilot Mountain State Park

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