Smokies burn ban lifted
File photo
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has lifted a burn ban that’s been in effect for weeks amid drought conditions and an active wildfire season.
The ban was lifted Nov. 29. The park had previously banned backcountry campfires Nov. 6 and frontcountry campfires Nov. 16. Although precipitation, cooler temperatures and shorter days allow for campfires to resume, fire danger is still high across the park and the area is experiencing drought.
Campfires are allowed only in designated areas. Visitors should keep campfires small, attend them while burning and fully extinguish so the embers are cool to the touch before leaving.
Burn bans have also been lifted in 30 western counties and the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, but a backcountry campfire ban remains in effect for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
