FOREST RESOURCES ISSUES REGIONAL BURNING BAN

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Forest Resources has imposed a ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits in Hyde, Tyrrell, Washington and Beaufort counties.

The burning ban will take effect at noon on Friday, June 6, 2008. The ban on open burning will be in effect until further notice.

Under North Carolina law (G.S. 113-60.25 and 113.60.27), the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was issued.

The ban on open burning is necessary because of hazardous forest fire conditions. As of 6 p.m., the Evans Road Fire in Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties had affected more than 28,000 acres (45 square miles) and was 30 percent contained.

By North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was issued. The issuance of any new permits has been suspended until the ban is lifted. In addition to the $100 fine, people in violation of the open burning ban will have to pay for court costs.

The following are a few facts about the law regarding the ban on open burning:

• The burn ban does not apply to cooking fires, such as grills or outdoor cookers.
• The ban does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. County fire marshals have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. In addition, other local ordinances and air quality regulations may also impact open burning.
• If a fire within that 100-foot area escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire. The person responsible for starting the fire may be responsible for reimbursing the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources for any expenses related to extinguishing that fire.
• Open burning includes burning leaves, branches 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.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers as well as officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission are assisting the N.C. Division of Forest Resources to enforce the burn ban.

For more information, contact Brian Haines at (919) 857-4828 or cell (919) 218-9728, or contact Chris Carlson at (919) 857-4819 or cell (919) 632-0185. Residents can also contact a county ranger with the Division of Forest Resources or the local county fire marshal's office.

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