Burn ban issued for 30 western NC counties
16 additional counties join the 14 issued on Sunday. Two firefighters injured at Poplar Drive forest fire in Edneyville.
Two state burn bans are affecting 30 Western North Carolina counties.
Effective 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, a burn ban has been issued for Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Catawba, Haywood, Iredell, Lincoln, Madison, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties.
Effective 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, a burn ban was issued for Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties.
Both bans remain in effect until further notice. “With the long-range forecast and conditions on the ground showing no improvement, expanding the ban on open burning to additional counties is a necessary precaution,” said NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We keep a close eye on weather, fire danger and fuel conditions, especially this time of year. We’re making daily assessments, and the burn ban will be expanded into Piedmont counties and further east if needed. If you’re in a county that does not fall under the ban, think twice about any outdoor burning until we see significant, soaking rain across the state.”
Progress has been made in Henderson County with the forest fire in Edneyville known as the Poplar Drive fire, officials say.
The N.C. Forest Service said the Poplar Drive fire in Henderson County is now 15% contained and remains at 431 acres. The fire continues to back, creep, and smolder within the fire imprint, indicating low-intensity fire activity. Firefighting personnel continue to provide structure protection and hold, strengthen, and mop up containment lines. The potential for fire reignition is elevated due to leaf fall and snags.
Edneyville Fire & Rescue Chief Robert Griffin said during a press conference earlier this week that when crews initially responded on Nov. 3, they were told by homeowners that they had been doing a controlled burn a week prior. "It's dry. The embers likely popped back up and started the fire from that. That's what we are going off of on an assumption. We haven't taken time to do the investigation and won't be able to until the incident is over," he said.
Griffin said his experience with another major wildfire in 2016 has helped him and his crew be better prepared to battle this fire. That fire was also in November and was at Party Rock in Lake Lure, located near Chimney Rock in Rutherford County. The Party Rock fire burned for three weeks over more than 7,000 acres of land, officials said. The teen convicted of starting the Party Rock fire said it was caused by a cigarette. For over four weeks in November, that fire burned 2,489 acres on state park property and 4,653 acres of private property, according to the release. Firefighting costs were estimated at $7 million. It is unclear how much money is being spent on fighting the current fire in Edneyville.
The number of buildings damaged or destroyed has not changed, officials said this week. Two homes were destroyed, one home damaged, along with one building and one empty cabin destroyed.
Two firefighters were reportedly injured
Kevin Harvell, the North Carolina Forest Service incident commander, told WLOS that the fire remained at 431 acres but is now 15% contained. Harvell said another firefighter was injured Monday night. “We had one additional injury overnight so it’s two total injuries since the fire started,” he said. Harvell said that both were minor injuries and both firefighters have been treated and released.
Officials warn for all residents to follow the law
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 assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban. 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.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, per the NC Forest Service:
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 that 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 at deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-quality-outreach-education/air-quality-forecasts.
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 at ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/fc_wui.htm or resistwildfirenc.org.
Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina. Don't be careless. Be ready. For prevention tips, visit the Fire Safety Outdoors page.
See the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer for current information on North Carolina’s reported and active wildfires.
See all fires that have been controlled since January 1, 2023. The map displays all fires that have been entered into the N.C. Forest Service fire record system.
Cops & Congress by Annie Dance is a service journalism newsletter, focusing on police, policy, and public records in the Lake Lure, NC area. It is free to read, but it is not free to produce. Please click on the button below to support my work.
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