BURN BAN LIFTED IN THREE OF FIVE COUNTIES

RALEIGH - State environmental officials today lifted the prohibition on open burning in three of five counties where nuisance conditions had existed due to smoke from burning storm debris.

Open burning will now be allowed in Gates, Perquimans and Tyrrell counties -- assuming such burning is done in accordance with air quality, forestry and local requirements. The burning ban remains in effect in Dare and Chowan counties.

Smoke from outdoor fires is unhealthy to breathe and pollutes the air. Burning trees, branches and other storm debris creates a lot of smoke because the green wood contains a lot of sap.

Residents in affected counties should contact their county managers or solid waste offices for alternative disposal methods, such as chipping machines that turn wood into mulch. Many counties are in the process of locating areas for chipping machines and debris disposal. The state Division of Air Quality (DAQ) can approve exceptions to allow debris burning where there are no other disposal alternatives. The DAQ regional supervisor in Washington must approve exceptions. The number to that office is 252-946-6481.

Many municipalities will pick up limbs and other debris if they are piled along the curb, or debris can be hauled to approved landfills. It is illegal to burn debris if public pickup is available. Under the state open burning rule, it is always illegal to burn:

• Garbage, paper and cardboard;
• Tires and other rubber products;
• Building materials, including lumber;
• Wire, plastics and other synthetic materials;
• Asphalt shingles and heavy oils;
• Paints, and household and agricultural chemicals.

Under normal conditions, homeowners can burn yard trimmings - excluding stumps and logs over 6 inches in diameter - if it's allowed under local ordinances, no public pickup is available, and it doesn't cause a public nuisance. Other allowable burning includes fireplaces, campfires, outdoor barbecues, and bonfires for festive occasions. Landowners may be allowed to burn vegetation to clear land or clean up storm debris, but they should check first with the nearest DAQ regional office. People seeking to burn also may need permits from the Division of Forest Resources.

Violators of the open burning rule may be subject to fines as high as $10,000 or more, depending on the severity of the case. A free brochure describing what is allowed and prohibited under the open burning rule can be obtained by calling (919) 733-3340, or writing to the Division of Air Quality at 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641, or checking the DAQ web site at www.ncair.org/ . Contractors and municipalities are encouraged to grind debris into wood chips, but should call the nearest DAQ regional office for more detailed guidelines on allowable burning.

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