Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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“[The state] enacted the burning ban because of the drought situation across the state and the increase of state fires across the state also,” said Brian R. Haines, a spokesperson with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources. “This month has certainly seen an increase.”
This February, there have been 726 fires across 13,425 acres, as opposed to 323 fires across 971 acres in January. Adding to the amount of fires in the month, on Feb. 10 there were 302 fires that burned more than 9,000 acres.
The burn ban does not allow for cooking fires beyond the 100-foot area of an occupied dwelling. Cooking is allowed using an enclosed grill or cooker.
“It really doesn’t affect us,” Thomasville Fire Marshal Rocky Watts said. “Most contractors and residents know when they call in to get a permit to burn and that we eliminated [burning permits] several years ago.”
By North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning statewide, regardless of whether a permit was issued. The issuance of any new permits has been suspended until the ban is lifted. In addition to a $100 fine, people in violation of the open burning ban might have to pay court costs.
The last time there was a burning ban in place was Oct. 15, 2007 to Jan. 2, 2008.
Ron Humble, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh, said Monday the drought is the worst he has seen in some time.
“April is one of our two driest months,” Humble said. “So we are coming up on a potential dry time as we shift over from the winter regime to summer type showers and thunderstorms.”
According to the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, some of the rules and regulations under the burning ban are:
• The ban does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. A campsite is not considered an occupied dwelling.
• County fire marshals have jurisdiction of burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The N.C. Division of Forest Resources has advised county fire marshals across the state of the burning ban and asked for their consideration of also implementing a ban on open burning.
• If a fire within the 100-foot area escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire. The person responsible for setting the fire may be responsible for reimbursing the N.C. Division of Forest Resources for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.
• The burn does not allow for campfires or bonfires, even in a metal ring.
• Open burning includes burning branches, leaves and other plant material. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative materials.
• Outdoor burning is also prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts.
• State and local law enforcement officers, as well as local fire departments, are assisting the N.C. Division of Forest Resources to enforce the burning ban.
An attempt to reach Davidson County Fire Marshal Chris Kerns was unsuccessful Monday.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com