Drought, yard burns raise wildfire risk
File photo
With North Carolina’s spring wildfire season arriving at a time when most of the state is experiencing moderate to severe drought, the N.C. Forest Service is urging the public to apply best practices and common sense with all outdoor fire, especially yard debris burns.
Escaped yard debris burns, largely due to carelessness, continue to be the leading cause of wildfires across the state, accounting for nearly half of all wildfires in North Carolina.
In general, human activity is responsible for 99% of wildfires, and spring weather tends to draw people outdoors to work in their yards, with many choosing to burn as a method to dispose of leaves, limbs and other yard debris.
Other forms of human-caused wildfires stem from machine and vehicle use, dragging tow chains, arson and escaped campfires.
Before starting an outdoor fire, contact your local NCFS county ranger’s office. For safe burning practices to help prevent wildfire, the NCFS offers the following guidance:
• Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely.
• Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burn permit at any N.C. Forest Service office or authorized permitting agent or online at www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit.
• Keep an eye on the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
• Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed up debris burning.
• Stay with your fire until it is completely out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
To learn more about preparing for and preventing wildfires, visit preventwildfirenc.org.
