Burn ban still in effect for North Carolina as fire activity increases
Burn ban went into effect on Friday, March 21
NORTH CAROLINA (WBTV) - The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services said on Saturday evening that the statewide burn ban is still in effect for North Carolina until further notice.
The statewide ban was in effect because North Carolina experienced critical fire weather.
The burn ban started at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 21 and all open burning has been banned as well as permits being canceled statewide.
Officials said that there was a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures that contributed to extreme fire behavior.
The North Carolina Forest Service had responded to multiple fires across the state including non-escaped illegal fires. Officials said that using outdoor fire during the ban is against the law.
Significant fire activity across North Carolina
- The Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires continue burning in Polk County. The Black Cove Fire is 1,239 acres in size with no containment. The Deep Woods Fire is 1,102 acres in size with no containment. The Fish Hook Fire is 152 acres and 50% contained. Helene debris and rugged terrain are posing challenges for containment on all three fires.
- Other significant wildfires burning in Western North Carolina are the Old Hwy 16 #1 Fire in Wilkes County, the Iron Circle Fire in Burke County and the Caleb Lane Fire in Caldwell County. The Old Hwy 16 #1 Fire is about 200 acres in size and 50% contained. The Iron Circle Fire is about 160 acres in size and 50% contained. The Caleb Lane Fire is about 50 acres in size with no containment.
- N.C. Forest Service District 10 personnel are responding to the Goinstown Road Fire near the Stokes/Rockingham County line. The fire is about 50 acres in size, 0% contained.
- N.C. Forest Service personnel in Caswell County are responding to the Anderson Road Fire, about 20-30 acres in size and 50% contained.
- As of March 19, 1,040 wildfires have burned on state and private lands statewide since March 1. 99% of wildfires in North Carolina are human-caused which means almost all wildfires are avoidable.
To check wildfire activity across the state, use the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer click here.
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