Burn ban issued for Cumberland County, rest of state

The N.C. Forest Service has issued a burn ban for Cumberland County and the rest of North Carolina starting Friday at 8 a.m. and lasting until further notice. 

Open burning is prohibited under the ban, unless the fire is started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. This includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal. 

The burn ban is being issued as wildfires rage across the state. 

“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”

The National Weather Service has also issued a special weather statement of increased fire danger in Cumberland County from Friday morning through Friday evening. According to the North Carolina Fire Danger map, Cumberland County has a high risk of danger for the next week. This means unattended brush fires and campfires are likely to escape.

“We are urging the community to refrain from any outdoor burning at this time,” Cumberland County Emergency Services stated on Thursday. “Dry conditions and high fire danger increase the risk of wildfires spreading rapidly.”

All burning permits statewide are also temporarily cancelled under the ban. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. 

Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire. 

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.  The N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions. Residents with questions can contact the N.C. Forest Service Cumberland County Office by phone at 910-483-1535 and by email at Cumberland.ncfs@ncagr.gov.