The N.C. Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 2. The statewide ban went into effect March 21.
The lifting of the burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue or lift a burn ban within that 100 feet.
The press release from NCFS reminds the community that need to obtain burn permits from any authorized permitting agent or online at https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/. All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban in March were canceled when the ban became effective. A valid permit must be obtained.
There are currently 55 active fires in North Carolina as of early April 3. There are 3 fires in Jackson County, two are 100% contained and the Kitchen Branch fire is 90% contained. The fire in Swain county is 80% contained, but covers over 1575 acres. The fire in Haywood county is currently 24% contained and covers 1865 acres.
The number of wildfires in North Carolina has significantly gone down since last week, but we are not out of wildfire season yet. To know more, check out some Wildfire FAQ’s with public information officer for the N.C. Forest Service, Phillip Jackson.
Jackson County Emergency Management is encouraging the community to sign up for CodeRED alerts at https://tinyurl.com/mtu8jzwd.
North Carolina National Forest has an interactive map to follow active fires in the state.
